“My friends, I wish this could be a brief council as we need to act fast, but unfortunately that is not the case. As I’m sure many of you have heard by now, those who do not follow the treaties we hold ourselves to have lashed out at us.” While Sara didn’t raise her voice, it carried to everyone in the bar. “The ruthless predators of this city have become bold. One of their blood-crazed members recently attacked a young man, passed on our curse, and left him out for the sun. If that were not enough, they assaulted the fledgling in an attempt to threaten us all, to browbeat us into submission.”
A few of the vampires in the bar growled or grunted in aggravation, but most accepted it as if reading a newspaper, with callous indifference. They’d long since accepted Ernest’s morally dubious siring of new vampires.
“However, the treachery of these feeders has gone further than that. They’ve also murdered an innocent man in our territory, making no attempt to hide what they’ve done from human law enforcement. They’re doing the same in their own territory.”
The more aggressive vampires swore and some shouted questions that demanded answers, while the calmer vampires went slack with shock.
Thomas had to sit back down. The memory of his two attacks caused a wave of grief and horror.
“I and many others like myself have spent much of our lives reinforcing pacts and treaties with the clans and tribes in our supernatural community. All over the world, vampire lords from the days of the first brothers have sworn truces to act discreetly, harvesting what blood we need while not harming humans beyond what we can help. It’s not skillful negotiations or honor that enforces these treaties. It is fear, plain and simple,” Sara said. “Fear our secrets will be revealed to humanity. For all our power, for all our might, we are few and they are many.”
The truth of Sara’s words made a lot of the vampires uneasy, and the air, already charged with tension, became unbearable. Some faces showed disgust at such a proclamation while others sneered at the prospect of being hunted by humans.
Thomas shuddered as his mind produced an image of an army marching forward armed with crosses and stakes. For Thomas, it was only a nightmare. But for Vivian and the others who’d lived through holy wars and purges, it was a memory they never wanted to revisit.
That was what this was about. This wasn’t just a turf war between two rival factions of vampires. This was a clashing of ideals which could either save or doom their entire species. It was about either choosing to hide safely in humanity’s shadows or to step out into the light and wrestle for control.
Ernest had made his position clear. He would challenge the human world and his position in it, even if it meant putting every vampire on the planet at risk in the process.
“No matter where you call home, we live in the same world and we all share in the same risks. This much is true: We as a species are all as dependent on human ignorance as we are dependent on their blood. Ernest has refused to learn this lesson, and in his arrogance he wishes to seize this city as his private playground, something that will only result in the devastation of our kind.”
Sara paused once again, and as if on cue, Vivian spoke up.
“I have seen this many times before.” As Vivian spoke, her accented voice drew every eye to her. “Our enemies are many and have existed since the curse originated. However, while werewolves, witches, and religious zealots all may wish for our doom, the biggest threat to our continued existence is our own arrogance.”
After nodding her thanks to the show of support, Sara continued. “This is why I have called you here. I’m not asking for soldiers to try and overthrow a rival gang leader. I have asked you here in the hope to remind you the treaty has been broken with the killing and reckless turning of humans. The peace has been thoroughly rejected. War has come to this city, and with it the hope our species will be kept hidden from those who walk openly in the sun has been jeopardized. Whether you stay here to help us is your decision, but if you do not wish to partake in this war, I humbly suggest you leave this city.”
Once more Sara fell silent.
Thomas glanced around the room again and found he wasn’t the only one doing so. If there was anyone who disagreed, anyone who didn’t want to be a part of this, now was the time to step forward. Their loyalty was being tested. Sara stood before them, her posture unyielding as she waited for the crowd to choose their side.
A handful of vampires broke away from the crowd and headed toward the exits. Some of them looked angry; some looked scared. Sara’s call to arms had been sensible, but fear had a way of getting the best of wisdom.
“Now, for those of you who wish to stay,” Sara said in a nonchalant tone, immediately recapturing everyone’s attention from those vampires who’d departed from the war council. “It’s time to move forward. Now, my husband will tell you how we are going to fight.”
Stepping out from his own place in the crowd with an exaggerated swagger calculated to raise the confidence and spirits of his allies, Lawrence stepped up beside his wife. While she was stern and grim to the point of being terrifying, her husband wore a cocky grin that made him look fearless but not blasé. It was an expression that spoke to the gravity of the situation but wouldn’t bring the gathered vampires down even further.
“Alright, you bunch of blood-sucking palookas. Between all of us, we’ve got over two thousand years of experience so I’m not gonna coddle any of you. War is war, and each of us is gonna have to carry their own weight. These blockheads who’ve picked a fight with us are cowards who’re planning on playing dirty.” Lawrence paused, grinning and showing off his fangs. “They wanna fight like moonshiners, and, by Jove, that’s something I did well before I was turned.”
Lawrence’s display of bravado was exactly what his fellow vampires needed. As they listened to what their dandy of a leader had to say, some of the tension in the room dissipated.
With their attention fixed firmly on him, Lawrence began. “So, dames and dandies, this is what I have in mind.” Lawrence nodded at Charles, who stepped out of the crowd as if on cue. He easily ripped up the floorboards of the Red Lightning Pub in front of Lawrence, and Thomas jumped at the sound of snapping wood. Charles reached in and hoisted out several green metal crates that looked to have been military issue at some point.
“Now you boozehounds will know why good ol’ Lawrence charges so much for some of his homebrewed red lightning,” Lawrence joked, kicking a latch on one of the metal crates. The latch snapped, and the lid flung open, a thin cloud of dust obscuring the contents. “And the next time you tip generously, remember it could be that dollar that saves your sorry hide down the line.”
The remaining vampires gathered in a massive clustered circle around the center of the bar, inspecting the crates. Thomas joined in the shuffle, not knowing what to expect. By the looks of interest or confusion on everyone’s faces, he wasn’t the only one. Sara and Julia watched in mild stages of shock and surprise as Lawrence revealed what he’d stored in his floorboards.
Several of the older vampires took a step back as if sensing something the other, younger vampires didn’t yet understand. When he peered into the box himself, all Thomas could see were neat rows of what he thought were shotgun shells.
“Back when all this hidin’ from the sun and drinking red lightning was fresh and new to me, before I could figure who had my back and who didn’t, I’d wanted to hedge my bets a bit—just in case. It was a different time and I went into rival territory quite a bit to run my gin mill so the Feds didn’t shut down my moonshinin’,” Lawrence explained as if revealing a secret weapon’s cache was nothing more serious than sharing an amusing anecdote. “So all of these pretty little shells are filled with buckshot dipped in silver. These will drop any one of those blood junkies, or handle our furrier cursed cousins if need be.”
Charles had fallen to a crouch and was still reaching underneath the floorboards. This time he pulled out bundles of carefully wrapped blankets and sheets. When he set them onto the floor
and unwrapped them, the smell of mothballs filled the air and the dull gleam of steel shone off of several shotguns.
Thomas felt his heart quicken. He felt like he was trapped in a surreal nightmare again. Now, presented with the tools he would be expected to use to kill other vampires, he was reminded the coming war was real.
Julia squeezed his hand again, trying to reassure him, but she couldn’t fool his newly improved senses. The rapid beat of her pulse and the smell of sweat on her skin were proof she was just as scared.
“Now I don’t want you guys to start thinkin’ you’re Al Capone now you’ve got your hands on some bean-shooters, m’kay? Our first and most important goal is the safety of everyone in this room, got it?” Lawrence continued as Charles began sorting the ammunition and weaponry. “No one’s askin’ you to get your hands dirty, but everyone is askin’ you to stay safe. Anyone with the brass to follow me when we make a move on Ernest and his blood junkies will get a call before it goes down. Everyone else will have other jobs to do, mostly runnin’ interference so the curious flat-foots don’t accidentally walk right into our little spat.”
Lawrence turned and looked to Vivian, winking. “I’m gonna be countin’ on you, doll face.
The ancient vampire gave a flick of her wrist as if this whole affair was rather boring.
“Mr. Foxe, I had bent my first constable to my will when your great-great-grandfather was teething,” she said casually. “And I doubt I’ll need to hypnotize any more cops than I’ve already got under control. Just show a little leg, and I’ll have each and every one of them wrapped around my little finger.”
Charles looked up at his lover and sighed, “Couldn’t you just hypnotize them? Please?”
Chuckles spread through the bar, easing the palpable tension.
“Good. Now no one wants this to be over quicker than I do, so hopefully by the end of the week, we’ll all be back here for a few drinks on the house,” Lawrence explained, keeping everyone focused on the tasks at hand. “However, Ernest is a mean tick and has probably dug in rather deep. If Monday rolls around and we’re still slugging it out with that bastard and his blood junkies, I’d prefer everyone fall back to this pub and its apartments.”
Over at the bar, Sara raised her voice.
“If you cannot make it to the Red Lightning Pub for safety, contact me immediately. I have several business associates throughout the city who are willing to offer safe havens. Each safe house is a private residence and has a threshold which will keep you from being pursued.”
Lawrence flashed his wife an appreciative smile and a sly wink. “Alright you bloodthirsty birds, let’s get to work. All of you who know how to shoot and are comfortable with taking a potshot at some poor bastard who thinks humans are nothing but a midnight snack, grab a bean-shooter and some ammo. Chuck, get a list of their names and numbers ‘cuz we’ll be needin’ to break into strike teams. Those of you who would rather help with clean up and interference start chattin’ with Vivian there. She can help you. If anyone else needs an assignment or a safe haven, talk to my lovely wife to get the details.”
The circle of vampires broke, moving to their leaders and preparing to have a busy week. Now that they had a purpose, the fear bled away into a grim sort of determination and a sense of camaraderie. Those who were willing to take part in the fight inspected shotguns and pocketed silver-coated ammo. Vivian explained to a small circle of vampires how they would distract the local police and try to prevent civilians from getting caught up in the crossfire. At the same time, Sara scribbled notes on papers and handed them to other vampires, directing them to safety or giving them odd jobs.
Thomas wanted to talk to Vivian about how he could keep his friends safe, but he also wanted to race over and pick up a shotgun to help hunt Ernest. The more logical part of him thought he would slow everyone down. Vampires like Charles were older than some countries and had a lot more control over their abilities.
Wouldn’t he just get in the way?
Thomas still wasn’t sure whether to go fight or focus on protecting his friends when Lawrence popped up a few inches in front of him.
“Now, kid, I know you’re probably real mixed up right now, but I need you to listen and listen good,” Lawrence said in a stern voice he usually reserved for when he was bossing Thomas around at the bar’s peak hour of business. “I want you to stay here and hold down the fort. You can move into one of the units with some other folks here for the war. Stay here and help.”
“But it’s my fault my friend is dead.” Thomas’ voice grew louder with every word. “I can’t sit here and—”
Lawrence knocked a single knuckle against Thomas’ forehead. “Get that outta your brain box right now, kid. This ain’t your fault. You couldn’t have known this was gonna happen. Even if you hadn’t been turned, this war would’ve been kicked off eventually. Things have been tense with Ernest for a while now. When you live as long as we do, these things happen,” Lawrence said with a shrug, his explanation was hardly adequate to calm Thomas’ guilt. “Problems crop up and when they do, you gotta face ‘em head on. When big problems crop up, it helps to face ‘em with your friends and family.”
Thomas started to mention how vulnerable his human friends were when the older vampire reached out and rested his hand on Thomas’ shoulder.
“And that’s what we are right now, kid. Family. You’re a part of our clan and we’re gonna take care of you just like you’re gonna take care of us. That means we all got our own parts to play, savvy? Your part to play is to keep back and watch this joint.”
Family. Was this his family now? He certainly spent more time in this bar than anywhere else. But family? That implied a sort of friendship and love. He hadn’t been in contact with his blood relatives in a long while, nor did he consider them family, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to break the vampire news to them. He considered his human friends to be closer family than his relatives, however now there were parts of him his friends couldn’t hope to understand. As Thomas watched all the strangers prepare for war, he knew in his soul he was part of their family now. He would fight for them, too.
With this feeling in his heart, Thomas opened his mouth to protest, but Lawrence’s grip tightened on his shoulder with an inhuman amount of force. Thomas let out a hiss of pain instead.
“You’re too young to go against a bastard like Ernest and whatever blood junkies and hopheads he has rallied as his makeshift army.”
Collins had beat him to hell before Ernest had stabbed him. Thomas knew he wouldn’t be much help out fighting, despite how desperately he wanted to. When he conceded, Lawrence released him and turned to his daughter.
“And I want you to stay back as well. I want you as far from the bowels of this city as you can possibly be.”
If Thomas had been upset about being sidelined, Julia was livid.
“I certainly will not,” Julia hissed. “I’ve seen more of this world than you have, and I can certainly handle myself against some creeps who fancy themselves as modern day Dracula.”
An exaggerated sigh escaped Lawrence, and he raised his hand to his temple, rubbing it to ward off a headache.
“Hell, why do I ever think anythin’ will be simple with a livewire like you? I’m not doubtin’ your ability, kid. May God from on high strike me down if I ever think you’re a doll to boss around,” Lawrence said with a shake of his head. “But you and your boyfriend here are the only two I know who’ve got any medical experience from this century. You can bet your last nickel Ernest is gonna play as dirty as we are and use silver, fire, hawthorn, and Lord knows what else against us. There’s gonna be a lot of injuries just like Thomas’, and I want—no, we need—you two to be the ones to patch ‘em up. Also, start rationin’ the red lightning. No doubt this place is being watched, and I don’t wanna bring any of our donors here and put them in harm’s way. Savvy?”
Lowering his voice, Lawrence continued. “And Tommy Boy here ain’t gonna be in any condition to fight for
a while. I wouldn’t feel right leavin’ him here alone.”
Thomas caught a glance from Julia, and guilt flooded him again. He hated holding her back, but fate had already led him to Ernest twice. There was a good chance their paths would cross again. With the hawthorn slivers still embedded in his chest, Thomas wouldn’t stand a chance—and maybe he really could help with medical care.
“Fine.” Julia conceded after a long pause, although she didn’t look happy. “But only for Thomas. You know I won’t actually do any good patching people up.”
“Good,” Lawrence said, straightening up. “You two can start by turnin’ the downstairs blood bank into a field hospital. Now get a wiggle on you two.”
With that, Lawrence turned his back on them and headed back over to the larger group and groaned as he called out, “Chuck, you big six. That ain’t some turn of the century blunderbuss like the one you used as a teenager. That’s a genuine Winchester Model 1897. Treat it with more dignity than a tipsy floor flusher, will ya?”
◆◆◆
“Our last date turned out awful. We should try again.”
The comment caught Thomas unaware and he nearly dropped a jar of cotton swabs.
He and Julia had been working for nearly an hour in silence as the rest of the vampires received their assignments. The majority of their work had been rearranging the layout of the room to free up as much space as possible, as well as stashing the IV drips. According to Julia, rubbing alcohol, forceps, and scalpels would be the most useful medical instruments for vampiric patients. These tools would be able to remove any hindrances to a vampire’s natural healing abilities.
Shadows of Colesbrooke Page 17