"Two of us are missing.” He counted again. “Where is Caine?"
"Oh!” Victoria left quickly and returned with a cranky puppy squirming in her arms. She sat on the couch, the puppy next to her. The beast slowly grew bigger, and all the dark fur receded. The ears shortened and legs lengthened until Caine laid an evil gaze on the gaping Professor.
"What could have happened to Catrina?” Angelo said.
"She was coming with Rain,” Samantha answered. “They should be here."
"Rain?” Victoria said sharply.
"I saw him a few years back in Moscow.” Slava sipped his glass slowly, not caring for her issues. “Do we unnerve you, Professor?"
He straightened his glasses. “I think I am just a little overwhelmed."
"Shall we reconvene tomorrow?” Samantha sat next to Slava.
"We don't have much time.” Victoria finally put up something useful.
Pamela looked at the ladder against the bookcase. “Are these Antonio's books?"
"No.” The Professor stood. “This way please, ladies and gentlemen."
The Professor proudly parted the solid doors to the next room, and Samantha followed.
"Many pages were badly burned, especially the older ones. The ink was faded as well. We treated the pages one by one and laid them out in order,” the Professor explained the collection, and the creatures of the night expanded around the room. Glass cases lined the walls like a museum. Jessica looked through the glass at one page.
"My name's on here."
"My name's there, too.” Pamela peered over her companion's shoulder. “And yours is below mine, Slava."
"Where's our names?” Victoria butted in.
"That appears to be some sort of registry Antonio kept.” The Professor seemed at ease in his knowledge. “See here, where the page is charred, you can see a one and a three. That must be the year you came into his coven."
"1312,” Jessica confirmed.
The Professor took Victoria to a different case. “You my dear, Victoria, are all the way back here. Victoria Welshire, 1137."
Samantha passed by and briefly glanced at the page.
There I am.
"Is this all the same book?” she asked.
Theodore spoke from the other side of the room. “This is some sort of daily planner or a personal diary."
"Antonio didn't write very well.” Angelo read with surprise, although he himself was more for a good time than words. “Ann and Elizabeth argued today. They argued yesterday and will probably argue tomorrow."
He snickered, but turned serious. “Here's something about Lilith.” He continued to read. “Ann is upset over Lilith. The new fledgling Charles wounded James yesterday."
"This is the same woman you dealt with before?” The Professor pushed up his glasses.
"Mestiphles sent Lilith to increase our productivity.” Victoria slid her hand along the edge of the glass case. “When she did not cooperate, he got rid of her. Just as he is doing to us now."
"Who is this?” Caine tapped Samantha on the shoulder and pointed to a picture in one of the cases. Samantha saw the bubbled photograph of Jean, but didn't answer.
"This is going to take some time,” Theodore said. “I suggest a few of us stay here, and the rest pan out."
"We can't all be in the same place,” Caine agreed. Samantha suspected his criminal knowledge and cloak and dagger techniques for avoiding cops—similar, but different from Theodore's calculated mind.
"Theodore, Pamela,” Victoria ordered, “stay here and read Father's books. The rest of you, be on the lookout for Catrina and Rain."
The Welshires looked up from their readings, but no one moved.
"Do as she says,” Samantha affirmed. The Few filtered from the room. Caine turned up his short black collar and followed them past Victoria.
"You're staying here.” She grabbed his arm. “You'll be the first one they want.” Caine groaned but turned back to the cases of books.
"What was that?” Victoria turned to Samantha.
"You represent the old tyranny, Victoria,” Theodore intervened. “I told you, they fight for themselves, not for you."
* * * *
Jonathan entered the abandoned warehouse from the alley. It was dark but easy to spot Lilith. Her light pants and shirt gave away her position in the shadows. Rain offered a cup of blood to Catrina, but she turned away.
"Why are you so nice to her?” Lilith took the cup and emptied it in her mouth, then pulled Rain close and kissed him. Blood seeped into his mouth, but Rain pushed Lilith away and wiped his lips.
"Well?” Lilith demanded.
"I got the apartment address.” He held a crumbled piece of paper.
"Let's see if the doctors are in,” Lilith commanded him, and Jonathan left.
Heavy wings echoed above the drafty warehouse, and Jonathan's transformed figure flew into the night sky. The black bird looped above the city, crowed, and dipped between the high-rises. The feathers peeled away, and Jonathan swooped down on the metal fire escape. He peered into the window of Michael and Stephanie's apartment. The Philadelphia street bustled with the same noises as the television at the foot of the bed, and Stephanie took the remote control from Michael. Jonathan observed the doctor couple letting loose.
"Hey!” Michael tickled Stephanie, and they tumbled onto the bed. He seized his remote control and kissed her. She laughed.
"Did you hear that?” She cut the fun short and turned serious.
"Hear what? It's the TV.” He kissed her neck.
Jonathan burst through the window, pushed Michael to the floor, and pounced on Stephanie. She screamed, and the Lilithan roared. His eyes flamed red, and his mouth foamed.
Michael jumped onto Jonathan from behind, but he turned and grabbed the doctor. Tall and strong as Michael was, he was but a morsel compared to the ruthlessness of the Lilithan. Jonathan thrust the good doctor against the wall. He clenched Michael's neck in his hand, raised him off the floor, and laughed.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 37
The potato sack lifted, and Michael shook the dirt from his hair. Stephanie was revealed next to him in the damp warehouse.
"Are you okay?” he whispered. She nodded slightly, and Jonathan snorted at them. He was tall and wiry with evil and glared at them because he hadn't done what he really wanted to do.
Lilith approached them. “So these are the human friends Samantha is so fond of?"
"What do you want from us?” Michael braved.
Lilith curled her hair around her fingers as she circled Michael and Stephanie.
"A little of this. A little of that. Very good physical specimen. The perfect psychology."
"What are you going to do to us?” Stephanie asked.
"Only a little bit.” Lilith smiled. “You are going to help me get rid of a friend of yours."
* * * *
Samantha walked casually down the busy London street.
They mustn't see.
"At this light I'm going to cross the street,” Angelo said. He walked with his usual nonchalance beside her, except for his lingering glances at the female Londoners.
"Find out where Jessica wandered off to,” Samantha ordered.
Angelo made it across safely, but Slava jerked to a stop in the middle of the street. A car shrieked to a halt, and a horn blew. He hurried to Samantha.
"I saw one. Not Lilith, but I'm sure it was a Lilithan. A female."
"Lilith must be stocking up, just like we are."
"Did you see the male over there?” Slava looked over his shoulder, but Angelo stopped on the opposite sidewalk.
"What is he doing?” Slava asked.
Samantha peered past the whizzing cars and saw the Lilithan female. The red-haired enemy hurried into a building.
"Angelo is following her,” Samantha said. “Let's go."
Slava followed. “A butcher's shop. How fitting."
They met Angelo before the store, and the trio ent
ered, but it was dark and empty.
"There must be a back entrance,” he concluded.
Samantha went around the counter and led the way through the plastic curtain where patrons weren't normally allowed.
"We should check the freezer.” Slava looked at the large steel door. He took hold of the handle and pulled the heavy door open. Angelo leaned inside the freezer and flicked on the light switch. The light buzzed, and he gasped. Slava covered his mouth and gagged.
A gutted body dangled on a hook inside the freezer. Slabs of beef hung around it, and Jessica's head was perched on the floor.
"Dammit!” Samantha grimaced and quickly looked away. This was not a phone call she was looking forward to making.
* * * *
Pamela's hand shook, and the phone dropped from her ear.
"What did Angelo say?” Victoria asked, impatient.
"They got Jessica.” Pamela's lip trembled, and she turned away.
The Professor put a cautious hand on her shoulder. “Now, now, dear."
Victoria sneered. “Well, that's another one we can blame Samantha for."
"Give it up, please,” Caine told her off. Theodore groaned.
"We made you a vampire, remember that.” Victoria thrust her thumb at herself then looked at Pamela. “If you're going to go soft, tell us now."
Pamela's green eyes turned black, and her hand grew into a cat's paw. She reached out from the Professor's comfort and slashed Victoria's cheek. Theodore interceded, and she slid back into the comfort of the Professor. Caine led Victoria away and chuckled.
* * * *
Angelo hung up the pay phone and shook his head. “What do we do now?"
Samantha was ready. “We take the offensive."
"They're on the rooftop!” Slava pointed above the butcher's shop.
Lilith stepped onto the ledge and looked down at the Welshires. Jonathan handed Jessica's body to her, several sticks of dynamite strapped to the chest. He lit the fuses, and Lilith let the body go. It plummeted off the rooftop, and Samantha started toward the building. Slava held her back.
"There is nothing you can do now."
"Let's go.” Lilith smiled, then disappeared from view.
The body crashed onto a parked car, and the windshield shattered. The dynamite went off, and the car exploded. The blast echoed all around. People took cover as cars swerved away from the hot metal. The flames spread to the butcher shop, and the windows shattered and popped. The fire moved inside the building, and fire alarms rang out.
"We have to get out of here.” Angelo maneuvered through the crowd. Slava turned away, but Samantha saw someone on top the building and gasped.
Rain.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 38
"What?” Victoria exclaimed.
"Rain is working with the Lilithan,” Samantha told the Welshires again. “It was his presence I felt at the museum."
"He is one of you, but is helping them?” The Professor took off his glasses and wiped his brow.
"Unbelievable,” Theodore said.
"Maybe she has him prisoner?” Pamela guessed.
"If she has him, it is a good bet she has Catrina,” Angelo said.
"He has to be working for her,” Victoria said flatly.
"Pessimist,” Pamela said.
"You did try and kill him, Victoria,” Slava recalled.
"Apparently, he's not dead."
Caine slouched on the Professor's couch. “He's a traitor. Maybe he should be dead."
"No,” Theodore said. “He must share his knowledge of the Lilithan with us."
"How do you suppose we find this Rain?” the Professor asked.
Victoria grew tight lipped, and Theodore walked to her.
"You see, Professor.” He knelt beside her. “Every maker has a special spot right here.” Theodore jabbed her forehead with his forefinger. “That allows her to find any one of her fledglings."
He stood. “Angelo, Victoria, and I will go out now. As her fledglings, maybe we can help her locate Rain and the Lilithan."
"I can't go out in the daylight,” Caine interceded.
"It is better you remain here anyway.” Angelo stood also. “You are the newest fledgling and the most vulnerable."
Samantha turned to the Professor, “Have you found anything in the books? A weakness of the Lilithan?"
"We haven't found anything, yet."
"If we could find the answers in the books, we wouldn't need stupid Rain,” Victoria grumbled.
"Even if we don't need his information,” Slava looked at her, “Rain knows too much about us. We can't let him help the Lilithan. If he won't side with us, he will have to be destroyed."
* * * *
The Professor's sitting room was dark. Small rays of light peered from behind the drawn curtains, but Caine slept safely behind the couch. Samantha turned on the sofa next to Slava, but Pamela slept soundly in the recliner. The door opened, and a wave of light panned across the room. Slava woke with fiery red eyes and his fangs extended, but the Professor slid into the room and cleared his throat. Samantha woke and stretched out her arms. The Professor remained calm.
"I've found something."
* * * *
"This is ridiculous!” Victoria clutched the car's interior, and Theodore weaved in and out of traffic. Angelo chuckled at Victoria and reached up to adjust the radio, but she slapped his hand away back to the back seat.
How dare he try to change Black Magic Woman!
Theodore's cell phone rang.
"What is that infernal noise?” Victoria asked, irritated. Angelo's smile grew bigger, and Theodore let the phone ring a few more times before clicking on the talk button.
"What is it?"
"We've found some information in the books,” Samantha said over the speaker.
"Victoria is having no luck,” Theodore told her.
"Perhaps in her altered state the fledgling connection is lost?” Angelo leaned closer to the phone.
"Altered state?” Victoria mumbled.
* * * *
Theodore sped along, paying little attention to the store alarms as he sped by the supermarket parking lot. Angelo pointed out Victoria's window.
"It's a Lilithan!"
Jonathan slid through the closing automatic doors and ran into the car park. Packs of meat squeezed from the paper bag in his arms as he darted through the vehicles.
"Somebody stop that guy!” The security guard stopped, out of breath. Jonathan jumped into the street.
Theodore jammed both feet on the brake. Angelo looked up and saw Jonathan leaning on the hood. The bag of meat was scattered on the ground, but Jonathan left it and broke off across the traffic. Victoria opened the car door and raced across the street after him.
"Victoria!” Theodore yelled after her.
"What the hell does she think she's doing?” Angelo asked.
"Shit.” Theodore started the car again. “Get up here."
Angelo tumbled into the front seat and shut the door as the car rolled away.
"What about all that meat?"
Jonathan turned down an alley and jumped over a trash can, but Victoria raced after him. He jumped onto the fire escape, but Victoria transformed into a wolf and leaped up after him. Jonathan cried out; his leg was clamped inside the wolf's jaw. He lost his grip and fell to the hard concrete below. The wolf was on him.
"That's her!” Theodore turned the car into the alley. Victoria stood up and wiped the blood from her mouth.
Angelo stepped out of the car. “What the hell was that about?"
"Let's see how Lilith does without her right hand man.” She smiled and slid into the backseat.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 39
Ann's Bedroom, 16th Century
"What the hell is this?” Antonio voiced his anger.
Ann reached around him and shut her door. “Keep your voice down."
Charles sat on Ann's bed, his hands tied before
him. Stephen held the point of his sword against the Lilithan's throat. “He broke into Mother's room."
"He had this with him.” Ann handed Antonio a small dagger.
He examined the weapon. “One swipe with this, and your head would have been clean off."
"Comforting,” Ann retorted.
"Is this proof enough, Father?” Stephen asked. “This madman sneaks into my mother's room. Attacks her in her bed!” The point of Stephen's sword broke the skin, and a trickle of blood dripped down Charles’ neck.
"This proves nothing.” Antonio turned the weapon and gave it back to Ann. “Let him go."
"What?” Stephen and Ann voiced their disagreement.
"I don't like it.” Eric stood from his dark corner chair and walked to Ann. He put his arms around her, and she looked away from Antonio.
Eric remained bold in his speech, “I know what we can do with the Lilithan."
Much to his chagrin, Antonio followed Eric's plan. He had to save his reputation before Ann's cohort now. He followed behind Stephen as they neared the bowels of the castle.
"Lilith will not stand for this!” Charles protested. Eric and Stephen shoved him down the dungeon hall.
James joined them. “It is because of Lilith's meddling that we do this."
Stephen pushed him against the wall and bound his right arm over his head while Eric clamped the left wrist into an iron cuff. James stood before the strung up Charles. “What were you doing in Ann's bedroom? Was it part of a plan designed by Lilith?"
"You'll get nothing from me,” Charles defied. Stephen took the torch out of its holder and jabbed his side with the flame.
"Thank you, Stephen,” James hinted. “I am trying to make this the least painful for all of us."
"That is why he's doing the talking and not me,” Stephen whispered in Charles’ ear. “There would be no talking if it were up to me."
"Where are Adam and Slava?” James questioned.
"I'll see to them.” Eric left.
"Did Mestiphles send Lilith to destroy us?” James continued.
The Vampire Family Page 14