Vampire Dancing

by J. K. Gray

Levagnion tore the blade free of the Bladesman's face. The weapon's small razor teeth scraped bone and tore flesh.

  The tall man shrieked and fell to his knees.

  Levagnion prepared a finishing strike, but, before he could execute it, there came a cracking sound and his arm was suddenly unable to move. He strained to see against the tumultuous elements, then noticed his wrist was bound by the end of a whip.

  The whip was pulled, yanking Levagnion's arm. He spun. The burly man in the leather waistcoat began reeling him in.

  Levagnion found freeing his arm a difficult task. The whip was wrapped around his wrist several times. He dug his heels into the earth, but it made little difference. This new attacker was too strong.

  A flash of electricity briefly illuminated the sky, and, in that moment, his assailant looked like some sort of devil.

  Levagnion frantically hacked at the whip with the blade.

  The man issued a determined grunt and started to reel faster. His neck muscles bulged.

  Levagnion felt his heels slide against the forest floor. He pulled on his arm with all his might, rendering the whip as taut as possible, then started to saw at it with the blade's serrated edge. In mere moments, he would be close enough for the man to reach out and snatch.

  The combination of sawing and tension on the whip caused it to suddenly snap.

  Levagnion lost his footing and landed on his rump.

  The broad man discarded the whip and made for Levagnion with lumbering footsteps.

  Levagnion scrambled to his feet and turned to run, but he wasn't quick enough. A powerful hand clamped the back of his neck. He struggled to free himself, but it was no use. He could feel his attacker's breath on the back of his head. Thinking fast, he drove the tip of the serrated blade towards his own face and pulled his head to the side.

  The weapon met with something solid.

  The grip on his neck loosened.

  Levagnion stumbled and turned.

  The large man staggered backwards. The blade was deeply embedded in his mouth. He reached up and gripped the haft; pulled on it, but it wouldn't budge. The serrated edge of the weapon was locked against his teeth. Blood ran from the sides of his mouth and filled his throat, causing him to make a choking sound.

  Levagnion rushed forward and struck the haft of the weapon with the palm of his right hand. The force of the blow drove the blade further into the man's mouth. It dislodged teeth and sent the tip protruding out through the back of his skull.

  The man went down on one knee. He looked at Levagnion with incredulity.

  Levagnion gripped the haft of the blade with both hands, twisted it to one side, then tore it out the side of the man's head.

  A profusion of blood sprayed into the air.

  The man gave an agonized roar and raised his trembling hands to his mutilated face.

  Levagnion flipped the sharp edge of the blade and brought it sweeping back towards his enemy.

  The man's expression turned to one of horror ... a mere moment before his skull was completely cleaved in half, just above the brow.

  Levagnion felt his stomach heave. He had to get back to Rinnae. He gathered his bearings and scanned the forest clearing. It was difficult to make anything out against this maelstrom of nature.

  The heavens rippled with thunderous malcontent, then lit a brilliant electric-blue. The flash briefly illuminated the surrounding area.

  … Illuminated the Bladesman.

  He came running towards Levagnion, through the wind and rain; had secured his belt tightly around his wrist, minimizing the blood loss from his wounded hand. His wide-brimmed hat sat on his head once more, and covered his face in shadow.

  Levagnion felt his stomach knot with tension. He gripped the haft of the blade with both hands and, digging his heels into the soft earth, adopted a stance of readiness.

  Within striking distance of Levagnion, the Bladesman issued a shrill, bloodcurdling cry.

  Anticipating the Bladesman's arrival, Levagnion swung his weapon, but mistimed the attack. The blade found only air.

  With Levagnion momentarily at a disadvantage, the Bladesman slashed at his adversary with his remaining hand, and found flesh.

  Levagnion cried in response to a searing pain in his right arm. He almost dropped the weapon.

  Almost.

  He brought the blade up swiftly in a diagonal arc, and felt the tip of it catch his assailant's face.

  The Bladesman hissed and slashed at Levagnion's torso. Once again, he succeeded in tearing cotton and rending flesh.

  Levagnion clenched his teeth and swung blindly for his assailant. He struck nothing, and staggered to one side. Exhaustion was beginning to take him over.

  The Bladesman's tall figure loomed before Levagnion. He spread his arms wide and readied the long nails on his functional hand for one final assault.

  Rainwater dripped from the brim of his hat.

  The sky flashed, highlighting the demon's burning eyes and hideous fangs. His savagely wounded face was truly a nightmare to behold. In that one moment, however, nature provided Levagnion with a perfect point of reference, and, with every ounce of strength he could muster, and at blinding speed, he thrust the weapon into the underside of the Bladesman's chin, and drove it up through his mouth and into his brain. The attack carried so much force that the tip of the blade pierced the top of the tall man's skull and lifted his hat.

  The Bladesman gave a throaty squeal. He gripped the blade's haft and fought to free his skewered head.

  Levagnion staggered past the doomed figure.

  It didn't take him long to locate Rinnae. She was exactly where he'd left her. And she wasn't alone. Areon Fae was kneeling beside her.

  Dismay hung heavy in Levagnion's heart. He had hoped Fae had gone.

  “Such a strong woman,” Fae said, rising to his feet. “She really is quite something to behold.”

  Levagnion stopped several feet from Fae. His breathing was labored. He didn't think he had it in him to fight another one of these infernal creatures.

  “She will die, of course - and soon,” Fae went on. “Unless...” He approached Levagnion. “Unless you choose life for her.”

  Levagnion regarded Fae with suspicion. “Why would I choose otherwise?”

  Fae stopped before Levagnion - “We shall see” - then snatched him by the throat and pulled him close.

  Levagnion resisted Fae with everything he had, but this man - or whatever he was - possessed so much strength ... Levagnion felt like a child in comparison.

  Fae opened his mouth wide and sank his teeth into the side of Levagnion's neck.

  Levagnion cried out and continued to resist ... then yielded.

  Once satisfied, Fae withdrew.

  Levagnion dropped to the ground.

  “In recognition of your will and determination,” Fae said. “I give you the gift of eternity.”

  Levagnion dug his fingers into the damp earth. He looked up. Fae was barely visible in the darkness.

  “Use it to save your woman,” Fae said.

  Lightening blanketed the sky.

  Areon Fae was nowhere to be seen.

  Levagnion crawled to Rinnae's side. He cradled her head once more. Remarkably, she still breathed. But her life was fading fast.

  I give you the gift of eternity.

  The gift of eternity ...

  But how?

  All Areon Fae had given him was misery.

  Unless ...

  Levagnion once again recalled those exaggerated tales of creatures that lived in the shadows and leeched off the living; demons which looked like men, but which lived forever under the burden of a terrible curse.

  Exaggerated tales ... these things were no more an exaggeration than horse and cart.

  He looked to Rinnae. Her life was hanging by the grace of each passing moment. He turned his attention to his wounded right arm. His shirt sleeve was in tatters. Blood dripped from the ends of his fingers.

  If his blood was to pass her lips ..
. or if he mixed it with her wounds...

  I can put everything back the way it was, Rinnae.

  He brought his bloody hand close to the wounds on the woman's neck. Blood dripped onto the grass. He hesitated; questioned his right to make this decision for her. If this worked, if he wasn't too late, she would forever walk the Earth.

  ... like Areon Fae and his kind.

  He touched the hair on the top of her head.

  “I do not want to lose you,” he said falteringly. Tears filled his eyes. His hand trembled by her neck. If he did this, he would have someone to accompany him on his long journey, and who better than the woman he loved?

  A parting sigh escaped escaped Rinnae's lips. The decision had been taken from him. She was gone.

  A cry caught in Levagnion's throat. The realization that his hesitation had lost Rinnae was almost more than he could bear. He pulled her head close to his chest and wept until he had no more tears to shed; sat with her in the forest clearing until the wind and rain ceased and the sunlight pierced the horizon. He would have sat longer had he not found the light of the new day intolerable. It forced him into the forest, to search out the darkest recess he could find.

  And there he remained, wrapped in unrelenting sorrow, until hunger drove him out under the hood of night.

  To feed.

  SIX

  01:33 am ...

  Wiley walks over to the subway car end door and peers through one of its two windows. The neighboring car is completely empty.

  “You're not allowed through those,” Len says. “They're locked.”

  Wiley turns from the door. “I can't believe you just said that, you stupid, bulbous fuckhead. You think I can't see the lock? Or the warning stickers on the door?”

  Len wears a blank expression.

  “If I wanna go through the door,” Wiley goes on, “I'll stick my knife between the handle and lock and perform a little magic.”

  Screwball gets up and slaps Len across the head.

  “Ow!”

  “I'll give you sumthin to 'ow' over,” Screwball says.

  Len scowls. “You just did.”

  Wiley mutters something to himself then turns back to the door. The two panels slide apart a few inches then close again. “What the hell?” He takes hold of the handle and opens the door. “Well whaddaya know, it ain't even locked.”

  “Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll all be open,” Screwball says.

  “Only one way to find out,” Wiley replies. “Come on.” He slips through the opening.

  The second car they enter is occupied by two couples. They seem to be together, and look warily at the four men. Wiley and company give each of them the evil eye, and continue their journey. There's only one person in the third car they pass through: a gray-haired old man. He's sound asleep.

  The group is midway through the next again car when the train begins to slow to the usual symphony of brake noise. A pre-recorded female voice informs them they've arrived at Astor Place. Soon after that, the exterior doors open onto the platform and they're told the next stop is Bleecker Street.

  Wiley peers into the neighboring car through a side window at the end of the aisle. “I can see them. They're still seated.”

  Screwball pokes his head out of the train and looks both ways. “Place is as dead as Kobie's sex life.”

  “Fuckin' asshole,” Kobie grunts.

  Stand clear of the closing door, please.

  Ding-dong.

  Screwball steps back before the door closes. A poster by the side of the door for after sun lotion catches his eye. More specifically, the bikini clad girl in the picture catches his eye. “Some god damn titties on that,” he mutters.

  The train pulls away from the platform.

  Kobie stuffs his hands into the large front pocket of his hoodie. “You sure 'bout this, Wiley?”

  Wiley is still gazing into the next car, and doesn't appear to hear Kobie.

  “Just ... I still got this feelin',” Kobie goes on, “and it ain't good.”

  Wiley turns to the others - “Okay, let's do this” - then opens the end door.

  Kobie reluctantly follows.

  The man and woman occupying the adjacent car immediately look intimidated.

  “Well it's never good news, is it?” Wiley says. “When a bunch like us enters your subway car.” He flicks open his switchblade.

  The man and woman get up from their seats.

  Wiley nods with approval. “Glad to see you're as enthusiastic to get this party going as I am.”

  “Please,” the man says. “What do you want? Money?” He reaches into his back pocket.

  Kobie brushes past Wiley. “I'll take your money.”

  The man opens his wallet. He pulls out some bills and hands them to Kobie. “Here, take it.”

  Kobie snatches the cash. “That all you got?” He peers into the open wallet - “Whatever” - then walks away, counting.

  “So he's got what he wants,” Wiley says. “Now I want what I want.”

  “I - I don't have anymore,” the man says.

  “Oh yes you do,” Wiley says. “Behind you.”

  The man shakes his head and feigns confusion.

  “Step out, girl,” Screwball says. “Come on, don't be shy now.”

  The woman steps out from behind her boyfriend. She holds onto his arm.

  Screwball flips his baseball hat in reverse. “Now ain't that better. What you wanna go hidin' for anyway? Pretty girl like you.” He turns to Wiley. “I'd so give her fuck pain.”

  The boyfriend squeezes his girlfriend's hand. “It's going to be okay.”

  “Gimme your names,” Wiley says.

  He's met with silence.

  Wiley holds the switchblade in front of his face. “Names. Now. Or so help me, I'll cut you.”

  “J- Jeff.”

  He looks to the woman. “And?”

  The woman looks away.

  Wiley steps close to Amanda. “Hey, bitch, don't you turn away from me. Name.”

  “It's Amanda,” she replies.

  “Amanda,” Wiley says. “That's gorgeous.” He turns to the others. “I'm taking a stiffy over her name, can you fuckin' believe this?"

  "I sure as hell can," Screwball says. “I got a little chunky goin' on right now.”

  Len is looking at his feet. He's either oblivious to what's going on or he's trying his best to ignore it.

  Wiley notices a teddy bear key chain dangling from one of the belt loops on Amanda's jeans. It has a pink sweater on.

  “What's this all about?” he asks, and examines the bear closer.

  Amanda remains silent.

  Wiley lets go of the chain. “You don't think you're a little old for teddy bears?” He looks the woman over, then slides an arm around her waist. He ventures his hand down over her rump; looks at Jeff; dares him to intervene. Jeff does nothing, but Wiley can see he's fighting hard to hold himself back.

  “Please ...” Amanda croaks.

  “Please what?” Wiley says.

  Amanda looks away, but there's no escaping what's going on. She can see it reflected back at her in the window.

  “Please what?” Wiley says again. “Please, more?” He slides his hand lower. “You want more of this?” He senses Jeff is about to make his move. He isn't worried. If loverboy tries anything, he'll be smiling out of his neck. Wiley moves his face close to Amanda's. She's refusing to look him in the eye. “I bet you like it rough. Straight-laced bitches like you always do.”

  “Just stop it!” Amanda shouts, and pushes Wiley away.

  Wiley's response is an angry one: “You fuckin' bitch, I'm gonna-”

  The train begins to slow.

  “Shit,” Screwball says. “Station comin' up.”

  “Already?” Wiley says. He signals to Kobie. “The door at the far end. Make sure no ones gets on.”

  “I'll get this other one,” Screwball says. He squeezes himself past Amanda, deliberately rubbing his crotch against her. “Excuse me, ma'am.�
�� He grins at her, then positions himself in front of the exterior door.

  Wiley points his knife at Amanda. “I'll deal with you in a moment.”

  Jeff notices the crucifix around Wiley's neck. “How can you be doing this? You're a Christian.”

  Wiley punches Jeff in the stomach.

  Amanda cries out and jumps back.

  Jeff doubles over and holds onto a hand rail for support.

  “Don't you dare question my faith,” Wiley barks. “You hear me!”

  “Please,” Amanda pleads. “Just let us go.”

  Wiley grabs Amanda by the pony-tail. “I'll let you go alright. Just as soon as I've finished with you.”

  Bleecker Street Station glides into view and the car speakers spark to life with the usual information.

  “Len!” Wiley barks.

  Len snaps out of his trance.

  “Over here. Watch this one while I take care of the girl.”

  Len just sits, blinking.

  “Move!” Wiley shouts over the sound of the slowing train.

  Len springs to his feet and hurries along the aisle.

  Wiley pulls Amanda by the hair and forces her face first against a window. She presses her palms against the glass and rests one of her knees on the seat below. Wiley pushes himself against her. “Just you stare at the wall out there and think of flowers or whatever it is you women think of. I'll be finished in no time.” He closes his switchblade and tucks it into his back pocket.

  “Please, don't do this,” Amanda says.

  The exterior doors slide open and Screwball pokes his head out. A few moments later, he comes back with: “We're all good, boss.”

  “Hear that?” Wiley says in Amanda's ear. He reaches round and unzips her jeans. “No one's gonna disturb us.”

  Stand clear of the closing doors, please.

  Ding-dong.

  The doors slide shut and the train pulls away from the platform.

  Jeff sizes Len up, and, apparently not thinking much of the overweight man in terms of being an obstacle, decides to make a play for Wiley.

  Big mistake.

  Len tackles Jeff and pushes him against the end door. The air escapes Jeff's lungs in one big whoosh.

  Screwball starts whooping with excitement. “Way to go, Lenny!”

  Wiley's stuffs a hand down the front of Amanda's jeans. His other one is roaming under her top. “You look good in pink.”