I turned to face the path, suddenly. Standing at the foot of a makeshift stairway, wagging its tail, was a brown dog. And not just any…
Tears came unbidden to my eyes, accompanied by my mouth breaking into a genuine smile.
The dog barked again, happily, and charged me. I let it bowl me over, speaking sweet nonsense, as it licked my face.
“I missed you too!” I managed to choke out between tears and the onslaught of this ecstatic pooch.
Finally, the dog sat by my side. I placed my hand on her head and scratched her behind the ears.
“I never got to thank you,” I said, my smile sadder. “And to apologise.”
She cocked her head at me and then licked me again. I laughed, and then cupped her head in my hands. She was smiling, in the way dogs do, as her tail beat the dusty ground. She had been skinnier in life. Emaciated. A stray. Flea-bitten and pursued by undead beasts. But now…she looked like she had a home. That she was loved. I was glad.
“Thank you,” I said. “And I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
She lifted her right paw and placed it on my knee. I felt a weight lift then. A weight I hadn’t realised I had been carrying, until now.
The brown dog which had died helping me all those years ago, stood up and turned in a circle, then faced up the hill, indicating that I should follow.
I rubbed the tears from my eyes and complied as she trotted along.
I didn’t know what she was leading me towards. Frankly, I didn’t care. I was just glad to see her again. Even if this was likely just a dream.
I realised just before we arrived that she was leading me to the perch where I’d watched that final sunset before the Battle of Ithalen. I had been prepared to die then. If Treth was here, he’d probably comment that he had been right. I hadn’t died.
But I had never truly left Ithalen.
When I arrived on the perch, the dog and I were not alone.
She trotted up to the precipice, where a white-winged figure with splendid silver hair, sat with her feet hanging off the edge.
“Ariel?” I asked, stepping towards the angel.
She turned to face me, as she stroked the dog’s head. She smiled. A faint smile, more honest and carefree than anything she had shown me in life.
“Hello, Kat. I hope you don’t mind me sitting here. This is your place, after all.”
“You saved me…all of us. I’d be a real piece of work if I kicked you off a rock.”
Ariel, uncharacteristically, snorted in amusement, and turned to face the horizon once again. It was day, I noted, and there was not a cloud in the sky. But I saw no sun.
“You know her?” I asked, indicating the dog, whose tongue was lolling out, contentedly.
“All denizens of your Vessel do. We call her Valour. She is one of the original inhabitants of the Vessel, besides your knightly friend. Where is he, anyway?”
“I thought you’d know that. He’s conspicuously absent.”
I examined the angel. In life, she had been stuck up. Obsessed with duty, whatever the cost. But in the end, she’d died doing the right thing.
She seemed lighter now. Freer. Her glow wasn’t any brighter, but it didn’t seem forced or overly intense. It was a contented glow. Easy on the eyes.
“You fought a battle here,” she finally said, looking down towards the village and stockade. “What happened?”
I stepped closer, taking a seat by her side. Valour came up and licked my face, before sitting between us.
“I stood with the survivors of a dead world. We didn’t expect to win. Only to last long enough to distract an undead horde from pursuing the rest of us from heading to a city to start a new life.”
I shook my head, remembering that day again and again.
“They weren’t warriors. They were just people. Normal people. And none of them expected to live. But they were prepared to die for their families. I decided that if I was to die, it should be among them. I taught them what I could in such a short time. Come the dawn…I held the line. And when it fell, I held the next. Again, and again. Until I could not. I watched over a hundred good men and women die here. People whom I befriended in a short time. People I loved for what they were willing to defend. But, for my sins, I did not die. I stumbled from this graveyard, thinking I’d escaped it. But it seems that I keep coming back.”
I looked at the angel. Her impeccable, glowing face did not betray her emotions.
“Ariel…is this the last time I return to this place? Am I dead?”
“You are not dead,” Ariel replied. “That much I am certain of. Treth would be here if you were. From what I have come to understand from the older denizens of the Vessel within your soul, I suspect you are merely in a coma.”
I snorted. “Merely!”
Ariel smiled. “Think of it as a rest, Kat. You deserve one.”
“Not while my comrades are fighting without me. Not while they need me.”
“They will never stop needing you. But they can handle themselves just as well. And Treth will be waiting for you when you return.”
Despite wanting to feel anxious, I just couldn’t. There was something so calming about this place. And Ariel, when she wasn’t aggravating me with her skewed Seraphim logic, was quite calming herself.
I sat back, and let my hand fall on Valour, who lay down, putting her head on my lap.
“I have met the people you fought alongside,” Ariel said. “They told me the story. But they don’t relive it like you do. I can hear it in your words. The battle pulls at you. Stabs you. You still live it. Every day.”
She turned to me. “Why?”
Why, indeed?
Perhaps…
“Because somebody has to remember it. Because people who matter died here. Because it changed me. Maybe, because it mattered. And things that matter should be remembered, no matter how painful.”
“Even if it causes you so much pain?”
I nodded, firmly. “Grief is a worthy cost for love.”
Ariel glowed, faintly. Almost like a pixie. I wondered if Seraphim and pixies were related. Duer would probably be offended by that notion.
“I once believed that love was not worth it,” Ariel replied. “Because it could be lost. It caused so much pain. So much loss. But I’ve realised that we fear its loss because it is worth it. We wouldn’t fear losing love if it wasn’t worth gaining.”
Slowly, Ariel stood, stretching her wings and arms above me.
“Love requires courage, Kat. And sacrifice. And it can cause pain. You can lose it and you will fear its loss. But that is because it is what matters.”
I stood beside her. The sky was going gold, as the invisible sun began to set.
She faced me.
“The Darkness will always press in to attempt to devour the Light. But, if we keep what we love close, and we keep loving it, fighting for it…we will win.”
She held my hands and squeezed. She smiled, knowingly and brightly.
“Stay strong, Kat Drummond. You can and will win this. All of this. And we’ll be there to help you.”
Valour and Ariel disappeared. But I still felt their presence within, pressed close to my heart. I closed my eyes, clutching my chest. I smiled.
They were close. All of them. And that’s what mattered.
Chapter 18. Regret
***GUY***
“I have just returned from meeting with…”
I hesitated. A dozen pairs of eyes stared at me from around the hospital’s foyer. Only Crusaders were in sight. We’d fortified this position into our base of operations. No new patients were allowed past the police checkpoint. I had only managed to leave and return by sneaking through a tunnel set up by the purifiers. Just in case of demonic invasion or something equally apocalyptic. All very possible in Hope City.
I needed to tell them what I’d seen. What I’d done. But would they understand? And did that matter?
“A meeting with Victoria Kruger of the Sanguineas Syndicate�
��”
A cacophony of voices erupted just as I said the name. I should have expected this. Even with all the casualties, this was still a rowdy bunch. They never wasted an opportunity to shout and protest. Even with Kat. And they respected her.
“She killed Ukwesaba!” I yelled over the din. That silenced them.
I glanced at my wife, standing at the back. I had wanted her by my side, but she was busy with Kat and had arrived late. But, even at the back of the crowd, staring into my eyes, I felt a bit stronger.
“She killed the vampire lord as easily as we slay zombies,” I continued. “Because of this, and because there is no other way, we have formed an alliance against the Izingane Zegazi.”
Silence. And then the arguments erupted. Many called me stupid. I heard the words naïve, and traitor being thrown around. Krieg stood at the back. He shook his head and climbed the stairs. Probably to go tell Brett. That was going to go well!
Kat probably would have given some great and inspiring speech to allay their concerns. To get them ready for battle. She’d have an argument to make them see reason. And, if not that, she’d make them feel better about it. Even if it was a mistake…
And perhaps, it was.
But too late to go back now.
I wasn’t Kat. I turned, and left, leaving the crowd to argue amongst themselves. I felt someone follow as I left the foyer and the frustrated anger.
“I thought that hearing that another vampire lord is dead would please them,” Cindy said, catching up to me and grabbing my hand.
I squeezed it, and sighed.
“A lion doesn’t relish a kill it did not make. They hate vampires. I do too…but…”
Cindy caressed my cheek. I looked into her eyes. She smiled, reassuringly.
“You did what you had to.”
“Brett will be angry.”
Cindy glowered. “Brett isn’t in his right mind. Something in his head has broken. I’m not sure we can mend it until Kat is back. But I’m sure that he’ll come to his senses eventually.”
“I don’t know, love. Brett and I…we met and bonded over a mutual hatred. And we still have that. But I think…I’ve seen the need for me to put that hatred aside. Brett is my brother for far more reasons than our hatred of vampires. I hope he knows that…”
“You’ve grown up.” Cindy said it as if to a child, cheekily.
“Thanks.” I smiled, faintly, before frowning again. “But I don’t think my brother has. Not yet.”
I looked back towards the foyer. The shouting was quieter now, dulled by hospital doors. But it was still there.
“They will still fight for you,” Cindy insisted, reading my mind.
“They’ll fight for her,” I corrected.
“She left you in charge for a reason. A reason I agree with. They may not know it, but you did the right thing.”
“Did I? Victoria is powerful. She destroyed Ukwesaba with a single blow. Toyed with him before that.”
I shook my head. I still couldn’t believe what I had seen. Such immense power…
“She’s a true monster. I’m not sure if we’re only trading one enemy for another. I feel like I’ve made a deal with the devil.”
Cindy grinned. “Well, lucky for you, I have experience with annulling demonic documents.”
Even with all that was going on, I couldn’t help but laugh, and embrace my wife. I loved that word. Wife. And I loved how real it felt. It didn’t feel like a dream. I was lucid. Completely. And it was wonderful.
But the reality of our situation returned. I sighed.
“I still think it may have been better if I hadn’t stayed. All this loss…and with Kat hurt. And this deal with Sanguineas. Perhaps, I should have fled, and not dragged you all into this.”
“If you had run,” Cindy replied, coldness belying the anger in her voice. “You wouldn’t be you. You wouldn’t be the man I love. You never intended to run away from your problems. If you had, you would have left a long time ago. But you didn’t. Because no matter what you told yourself, you always planned to finish this. Not for revenge, not for hate. But because that’s the type of man you are. You do the right thing.”
I didn’t know how to respond. So, I held my wife closer and let her hold me.
“Besides,” she said. “Two vampire lords down, one more to go. The end is in sight, my love.”
“Yes…but at what cost?”
Cindy couldn’t respond.
But it was too late to regret anything, I realised. She was right. The end was in sight. The light, or the dark, at the end of the tunnel. We could mourn our dead when this was done. There was no use regretting what could not be undone.
So, I held my wife close to me, and I vowed to protect her. Whatever the cost. Forever.
Chapter 19. Reprieve
I blinked into the sun and took a deep breath. It smelled like petrol, concrete and dust. The sounds of machinery, saws and yelling builders created a sonorous, chaotic symphony. It was noisy, disruptive, and reeked of life.
It was a welcome reprieve from the horrors of the past week. To see the Crusader HQ and its surrounds bustling with activity, it was a welcome sight.
Since Victoria slew Ukwesaba, we had not faced another night of terrors. Word was that Sanguineas were picking off stragglers. Not just Izingane Zegazi, but any vampire clan that didn’t fall under their bloody banner.
Part of me worried about what I had unleashed on the city. The other part could not help but just smile as I let the sun warm my face.
Cindy and I had slept at home last night. It had been quiet. Peaceful. We’d spent time together as we should. And it had been working with vampires that had let that happen.
I still hadn’t spoken to Brett about it. I didn’t know if he’d think it was worth it. Not that he had given me the opportunity to speak to him lately. He didn’t seem to ever leave Kat’s side – guarding her like a dragon does gold.
My heart stung at the thought of my brother never forgiving me for this. But I could live with that if it meant that he was safe.
Kuzalwa, Umbhubhisi, Ukwesaba. Three down. Three vampires that I’d dreamed of slaying since I was a boy. It was a dream that most Blood Hunters believed impossible. That, despite our sacrifice, our skill, and our determination, we’d never rid the world of the founding Children.
But we’d been wrong.
I wondered what Silumko would think of me now…
I wanted to be happy at what we’d done so far. I wanted to feel triumphant. But, for now, I could only feel the relief of this slight reprieve, and the encroaching darkness that was approaching. Fast.
The Blood Remembers. They always do. And the King of Blood, Nkosiyabo, was on the way. I had seen what Victoria could do to a vampire lord, but could she do the same to the vampire lord?
Vampires were secretive. Arrogant, often, yes. But not stupid. Ukwesaba and Umbhubhisi only moved in when they underestimated their enemies. Before then, they would prod, and experiment. No matter how much harm it caused. They would slaughter.
Ukwesaba’s reign of terror had almost destroyed us. It had put our leader in a hospital bed. And he wasn’t the king.
Despite this reprieve, despite all that we’d accomplished, I was afraid. For I knew that even with all they’d thrown at us already, the next attack would be the largest. And I was not sure we would be able to survive it.
I couldn’t help but sigh as I oversaw the rebuilding and repair of the Crusader HQ. They were patching up the gaping holes in the walls that the ghouls had left, while also reinforcing weak points. The attack had given us a good opportunity to insert steel and silver plating and bars in the walls. When Kat awoke (I didn’t worry myself with ifs), she’d be able to come home to a new fortress!
I only hoped she awoke before this next battle. But I couldn’t help but feel selfish thinking that. Because I wanted her to handle it. Even though she’d left me in charge, I had gotten used to relying on the Last Light to save me.
But, ca
n you blame me? She’s the Last Light!
Jane clearing her throat interrupted my contemplation. I turned to her. She clutched a bunch of papers on a clipboard. Her expression was grim. I nodded, acknowledging her.
She stepped forward and showed me the papers.
“Repairs and construction are going smoothly. It’s costing us quite a bit, but it’s a necessary expense,” she said, passing me a page full of costs and figures. I almost winced. I hoped Kat didn’t see this…
“Are the men finding any time to go hunting during this break?” I asked. We needed the money.
Jane frowned.
“Trudie’s pack has been dominating the shifts. The twins are able to act alone now. I don’t think we’d be able to cover half of our obligations without them. But, besides the werewolves…” she hesitated. “A lot of the Crusaders are in the hospital or…”
“Prison?”
“Thankfully, not yet. But Kyong is awaiting trial. Heather has gotten off but hasn’t reported in.”
Heather used to be so nice. But she was always sensitive. What happened to Hammond broke her. And killing the Necro Lord hadn’t helped. It was just fuel on the fire that some thugs attacked her family.
“And the others?” I asked.
Jane shifted her feet and looked away.
“It doesn’t look good. The active personnel are refusing to leave their posts at the hospital. They’re afraid of the police, or thugs, or vampires coming for Kat. For others…they’re refusing to work.”
“Why?”
Jane pursed her lips. She didn’t want to say. Which made it much more important that she did.
Finally, my stare broke her down and she spoke.
“Some of the men don’t like your decision to work with the vampires. They’re striking. I’ve told them that if they don’t work, they don’t get paid. They don’t care.”
Typical. I expected this. But I had hoped I’d be wrong. Perhaps, I shouldn’t be fearing the King of Blood. Maybe, I should be worrying if Kat would wake up to the Crusaders still existing at all.
“And what do you think?” I asked, simply.
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