Earl was due to head out tomorrow night as early as he could, that would leave me two nights at the lair after tonite. I had three hours before dawn, time to start the end game for this lair. I had modified my initial intent but the basics were still there. After all I had promised Thadeus and Cynthia that I would wouldn't kill them, I do try to be a man of my word. Man, could I still call myself that? Vampire seemed a bit out of place, I’ll stick with man. This quandary is what led me back to the old apartment complex.
Tom was asleep on his bed in the tiny apartment in the middle of the complex. It wasn't hard to get in, the lock on the balcony door couldn’t hold up to my claws. That was another fun discovery of the evening. While trying to figure out how to get up to their floor my mind had jokingly suggested climbing the wall. My talons had sprouted out of my fingertips at the idea. This made me squeak in a very unmanly way, but once the initial surprise wore off I really took a look at them. At their longest they were six inches, I could adjust them to any size I chose. The razor sharp edges on both sides of each nail tapered to a wicked point. They would cut like knifes on a slash and the points would easily puncture a target. It was like having fingers made of stilettos, double edged tools of death, sadly they didn’t make a snik noise when extending. Turns out they easily punctured concrete, which allowed me to climb up to their balcony.
Jerry was sleeping in the room next door, I could hear his steady heartbeat there. The apartment was simple and clean. The newest piece of furniture was probably 15 years old, it was all functional good stuff just old. I went into Jerry's room first, with the speed only one of my kind can manage. He was bound and gagged before waking up fully. I admit to feeling bad at the look of complete terror in his eyes when he realized what was going on.
"Your not going to be hurt, just relax and pray if you want." I told him quietly.
Next it was back to Tom, just as quick and just as efficient I bound him to the lone chair in the room, he was mostly conscious by the time I finished. Wearing the same shocked look his partner had.
"Relax, it isn't what you think." I said trying to reassure the man. "Just wait a minute and everything will be explained.”
"Now I am going to talk to the two of you, and if you don't like what I have to say I will leave you in peace." I offered after grabbing another chair and putting Jerry in it. My two bound captives wore matching looks of disbelief. "Since you don't actually have a choice I suggest you play along."
"Some ground rules.” They looked at one another, and then back to me nodding. “I trust you know what I am? Now let me tell you I am far more powerful then any of my kind you have met before. I am also responsible for the current lack of vampires in your city. Do you believe me?"
They nodded again, sweating and obviously uncomfortable but still willing to play along. A slim chance was better than no chance at all.
"Now we can have this conversation comfortably or uncomfortably, I leave that choice to you. The choice is simple. For the comfortable version, I will completely untie both of you, and we will chat. The uncomfortable version, you stay tied and we chat, less of a chat that way hmmm a speech? No honestly I don’t know what to call that, a talking to? It doesn’t matter, I’ll talk while you mumble into your gags. Either way this is going to happen." Again they nodded, but I noticed a gleam of curiosity in their eyes.
"Which is it Tom?" I asked removing his gag. He tried to recoil from my touch, but really didn't have much of a choice.
"We will take comfortable, thanks. For the record, I don't trust you and if you give me a chance I will kill you."
"You understand you don't have one?" My smile was probably not friendly.
"Mostly yes, but if you try to harm or turn us, we will fight with whatever we have." He was being honest at least.
"Fine, we agree, how about this as a step further? I wont even touch you, past untying you, you can untie Jerry?"
"Seriously? Your seriously going to untie us just to talk to you?" Now he seemed confused.
"I meant what I said. I don't feed on humans and have no desire to kill. I only want to kill other vampires." Well that got a stunned look from both. When I untied Tom he didn't move at first. He hadn't realized how fast I could move, once his brain caught up he turned to untie Jerry. He froze, staring at me long and hard before speaking.
"Your serious, you are really an old one aren't you? I didn't even see you move.”
"Why would I lie?"
"Because your a leech.” He said it with such finality, as if that explained everything. "Leeches always lie."
"I am not like any leech you have ever met. I suggest you quit insulting me and untie your friend." I nodded toward a now mildly annoyed Jerry "I don't think he wants to stayed tied up for the duration"
"Mrouewroritwnigf4roirjr4jrwe!" C out from the gag, pretty sure it translated as "Fuck no, untie me asshole." but thats just a guess. It knocked Tom out of his revere and he moved to untie the ropes. When he was done, I looked at them both just sitting staring at me.
"What? You look like,.. well nevermind I guess you are seeing a monster. Can I offer coffee?" I proffered the cups I had left on the table when I came in, I really really missed coffee. "Its black I hope that's alright?"
"Yup, perfect." Jerry smiled talking one of the cups. He seemed the more adaptable of the two, like he was just going to roll with this no matter what. As if to prove the concept."If I am going to die tonite, I would rather be awake for it anyway."
I laughed handing him the cup, he sipped it taking note of how hot it was. Tom was a bit slower, I think still processing things. He was the thinker of the two, he made the plans then managed their execution. Jerry was the action guy, boots on the ground guy. You could tell they had known each other a long time. I gave Tom a few minutes to gather his thoughts, it took a solid two before he decided.
"Ya coffee would be great." He mumbled, managing not to recoil too much when I handed it to him. "Not that I don't appreciate a considerate murderer but you will excuse me if I seem a bit suspicious of the vampire bearing coffee?"
"Fair point, I can see how you would feel that way in your line of work." I laughed, and wondered if murderer was better than leech. "So let me start with a question, are you two leaders of the local slayers? Please don't lie, I am here to talk."
"Such as it is, yup. That’s us." Jerry stated, the man had no back up in him. I respected that and appreciated the directness. A slight southern twang still lingered in his voice, he wasn't born here "Leaders elected cause we ain't dead yet. Its a fancy election process"
"Accurate enough," Tom agreed, "I don't care for his version of the why, but we are what we are."
"Good, I had been ease dropping on you for a few nights, wanted to be sure what I overheard was accurate."
"WHAT?!?" They both exclaimed in unison
"Well you didn't really think I ended up here by luck did you?" I chuckled
"No." Tom stared at the floor for a moment before continuing. "Honestly, I assumed you killed one of the others and they gave us up under torture"
"Kinda was my thought too." Jerry chimed in
"Oh! No, none of your crew has been hurt, not by me anyway. Again gentlemen you have not met one like me before."
"Sir, we ain’t had coffee with one of you EVER." Jerry laughed
"Hmmmm I hadn't thought about that." I laughed with him. " I guess this would be a unique experience. But let me ask the specific question to make you really wonder about me. How would you like to kill the last remaining two vampires in the city, take over their liar and have access to their books, wealth and knowledge that is stored there?"
Well that brought about a truly satisfying stunned silence. They both just stared at me, mouths open, coffee hanging ignored in limp hands. At Least until Jerry's spilled a little on his bare leg.
"SHIT FUCK!!" He exclaimed slapping it off his skin. Tom and I both struggled not to laugh at him. "Fuck you two, that shit hurts. I hate burns! Which does bring up a question Mr Vampire.”
“Yes?” I asked
“Would you mind terribly is I put on some pants? Not that I doubt your intentions, but just a bit odd having this conversation in my boxers.”
“Sure, I guess it would be more comfortable.” I gave up and laughed outright, before only half joking I added. "I would take that burn to be able to drink coffee again, now I walk around just sniffing it."
"Awww Mister immortality misses his coffee? Shut up leech," Jerry’s tone wasn’t disrespectful it was more joking, which caught me off guard. “You would already be healed by now."
"Okay okay Mr Vampire, we are here, coffee burned all all.” Tom for his part, laughed outrageously at both of us. ”I think at this point I will listen. Since you haven't killed Jerry yet, we will work on that trust after we put on pants?”
"Good! It would’ve been a long night otherwise, and by all means please put on pants." Suddenly it hit my like a ton of bricks. I was so caught off guard, not by them but by the names. I couldn't stop laughing because all I saw looking at these two now was a cat and mouse from my youth
"What the fuck are you laughing at now? Are you crazy or something? " Jerry still sipping his coffee but carefully now walking to acquire said pants.
"Tom and Jerry!" I exclaimed
"Oh for fucks sake man!" Tom sounded annoyed, yelling from the other bedroom. "We have caught hell for that since boot camp. Swear to god I’m changing my name."
"Didn't you want to change it to Alexia or something last time?" Jerry laughed again, I laughed right with him beginning to understand the relationship these two had.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Laugh it up fur ball!" Tom growled out. "I think its a powerful name"
"Sure if your in a drag show!" Jerry managed through his laughter, then upon saying it laughed so hard he had to set down his coffee before he spilled more.
"Okay, okay, I am not touching that one gentlemen." I sat back for a minute so they could finish getting dressed before rejoining me in the kitchen. “Alexia the vampire slayer, holy shit what a choice. Friends since Boot, I am guessing?"
"Yup, we met at reception battalion. Got stuck together there, than battle buddies, been that way since then. About 30 years now?" Tom added, still glaring at Jerry who had managed to get control of his giggling fit. "That smart ass is the one who dragged me into this, ran in to some nut case right after we got out of service. Somehow convincing me to go along with it. That was 11 yrs ago. Hey what do we call you? Leech seems rude, since you brought us coffee and all"
"Robert, Bob if you prefer since I hope by the end of the evening we can be friends. Who was it that you met at the bar?" I was curious about something, but didn't want to tip my hand yet.
"An old coot, named Big Jake. He isn’t that big anymore, mostly jus’ old and broken. He was the last one left after local hunters pissed off the master. He had killed all of them, killed or turned. Anyway Jake had great stories about back in the day when the church actually backed the hunters, blah blah blah. We didn't have anything going on at the time, retired soldiers don’t have an easy time just sitting, and it seemed like something more interesting." Tom had that far away look on his face as he talked. "I didn't believe him at first, hunt vampires, yeah right! But the old guy spun a good story and bought a fair amount of beers. In the end we went with him two nights later and watched as he killed this newbie. Told us then that it was one of his. Jake had killed one of his own people, because it was better than being a leech"
"Wow that sucks." I stated flatly. “I can understand the logic, I don't like this not-life much, but I am not sure I would choose final death easily.”
"Ya thats what I thought too," Jerry chimed in, "but after the shit I have seen? I would sit and watch the sun come up if it was me. Living off other people, like some sort of parasite, it’s just fucking wrong."
"In those terms I see what your saying," I replied " but consider it the other way. I am not a parasite I am a hunter, the apex predator. Do you fault the lion for eating the sheep?"
"What? No its ain't like that and you know it, the lion is just being a lion. He is natural, designed that way, vampires aren't they are monsters." Jerry stated flatly
"Oh? Why are you so sure?" I asked
"Cause god made lions, made the sheep, but he didn't make you". Jerry said this with the absolute certainty of a zealot. I fought Tom out of the corner of my eye, watching me, thinking. You could almost hear the gears turning in his head.
"But if you believe that, and if you know that all vampires where created from Caine and Caine was a punishment of god, how can you say we are not created by god? Or how do you know the lion wasn't created by god to punish the sheep?" I asked
"Well..." Jerry started stopped and started again "then your still on the wrong side. You just are"
"I am sure the sheep feel the same about the lion". I ended
"He has there,” Tom chuckled "what do you say to that?"
"Nothing, its just wrong is all, we ain't sheep. We are people." Jerry was done with this I could tell. His mind was made up it was a matter of absolute belief, like faith. I agreed with him despite my arguments to the contrary.
"Would it help if I told you I don't feed on people, I have only done so twice. I was set up for it, turned and thrown into my house. Those two deaths still haunt my every moment? Since then I have fed only on vampires." I asked honestly admitting who and what I was. "Would that make me one of your monsters?"
It was both of them stared blankly at me, again. The gears turned in Toms head as he processed what exactly I had said. Thankfully he had the grace not to question it. Neither of them spoke for a moment, though Jerry still took mechanical sips off his coffee.
"But thats not possible." Tom recovered first, definitely the thinker of the two.
"I know that's what's been taught for centuries but its a lie. I live perfectly fine on them.” Again choosing honesty over a easy lie. "Let me ask you, if your Big Jake ever mentioned a Travis?"
"Nope not that I remember ". JErry said
"I can look if you want?" Tom asked. "I have a log of all the hunters in the area for the last hundred years or so."
"Please, I am not sure when he was a hunter, I am curious." Moving to let him pass but keeping myself out of reach. Close enough to move if I needed too, He noticed.
“You seem to be honest enough so far, or at least have my curiosity up." Tom said "I won't try anything if you don't. Besides I have the impression you’re as powerful as you say, I wouldn't stand a chance." He reached into the bookshelf beside the bed and pulled out an old leather bound book.
"Tom you sure you want him looking at that?" Jerry seemed nervous
"Come on man, seriously? If he wants anything he can take it, look at him, really look Jerry you have had enough coffee now. He isn't a youngling he has age, or at least power radiating off him. We wouldn't stand a chance if the rest of the crew rolled in here armed to the teeth, he would sit there in his bright yellow T-shirt and just smile. He would still kill us all and not even think about it."
Jerry seemed to study me for a minute, for the first time he really stared at me. I realized he relied on Tom for this most of the time. A good team, not that Tom wouldn't act, and not that Jerry was stupid. It was their natural inclinations worked together. By human standards a dangerous pair for sure.
"Yup, fuckin’ death on two legs." Jerry seemed to finish his study of me. "Pure fucking death, how old are you?"
"As far as I know I am the third most powerful vampire in existence." This statement made Tom drop the book, his eyes fixed one me.
"Well fuck a doughnut rolling down a gravel road! Here you take this I ain't even trying it." He held a knife out to me pommel first. I took it, examined the knife. It was perfectly balanced, well made blade for throwing or fighting. It looked old, older then my sword for sure, and silver infused in the steel.
"Where did you get this?" I asked. "This is beautiful."
"Big Jake, it was about the only weapon he used, said he had been trained in Kali, knives where his preferred." Jerry smiled, memories playing in his eyes. "He was a dangerous old man even when we met him, and god knows how old he was then. He had spent time in the Philippines at some point, trained there. Old school Kali, started with sticks then machetes working with shorter and shorter weapons as he learned."
"I think he was over a 100 when he died, probably one of the only ones we know that died of old age." Tom said soberly as he flipped through the book. "We don't usually make it that long, loose one fight and we are done. I found a Travis, about 60 years ago, he had been with Big Jake back then. I don't know how long Jake ran hunters here, but I see a note that Travis disappeared on a hunt, he is listed as PT"
"PT?" I asked
"Presumed Turned." Tom answered. "Why are you asking about this one?"
"Because he is part of my offer, I think he would happily return to hunting if given the choice, but can you work with a leech?" I had been considering this for a day or so, I liked Travis and didn't want to see him dead, I felt pretty certain from his reactions he would happily hunt Vampires. "Still interested?"
“An hour ago I would have laughed at the idea, but its one of those nights so far.” Tom responded. “So lets say curious for now.”
"Does it help if I tell you that until a little while ago, he had no idea he could feed on vampires? I am pretty sure he will happily hunt them over humans if given a chance." I smiled thinking about the look on Travis's face.
"I ain’t gonna lie and say that isn't an interesting idea, but I can't promise it. Especially not just on your word." Tom looked slyly sideways "I would need to have a long SAFE conversation with him first, then decide. Problem is the word safe and conversation with regards to vampires, well they don’t usually offer the opportunity”
"Oh and if I gave you the opportunity? For that conversation and to kill the city master and his second?" I couldn't help but smile at the look on his face, the stunned mouth hanging open look was becoming common in this evenings conversation. "I meant what I said, a true master and his second, all their books and lair. I have two conditions...first Travis, you must at least talk to him and then decide. He is what he is, but if you keep hunting the way you are? You’ll never get anywhere, so why not consider it. Second, I have free access if I come back. No one tries to kill me, or anything stupid. If I need a place, its my place to be safe. Now with that agreement also comes a bonus. You guys are pretty much stumbling in the dark as far as I can tell, so if I can gather intel on hunters in other cities. When I comeback it comes with me, maybe you can start to build some sort of network."
"We have talked about that for years," Jerry said over his coffee cup, "just don't know how it would work out, or even how to start"
"True, like run an ad in the paper ‘local vampire hunters call me at 867-5309?’ Can't see that working out real well." Tom agreed
"True, but I scout cities to hunt the vampires, and consequently I tend to find you guys. If I convinced you maybe I can convince them."
"Can't see how any of this is a bad idea, other then partnering with a Vamp." Jerry’s tone was amused but I could see the temptation in his eyes when he looked at Tom. I did notice he had dropped the leech, we’ll call that progress.
"I can't say I don't like the idea, but I need to know one thing. Why? Why are you here, why aren’t we dead? Why are you doing this?" Tom, not surprisingly had questions.
"Okay well Travis first. I have gotten to know him, he would be happier as a hunter. If I could unturned him he would take it, call it a hunch. So you talk to him and decide, he might prefer death then continue as he is. I haven’t really talked to him about it. That’s all up to you, but he would be a huge asset to defending the city, he is pretty strong. The rest, well I have a personal mission to kill two particular vamps, then I plan on killing all of them. You don’t need to know the reasons, and I may honestly die in trying to kill the two. I don’t see how you loose either way though.”
“You mean other than if your and dead they come back for this city?” Tom again, pretty sharp guy.
“Well yes, I didn’t promise this was all risk free. It’s an opportunity to make progress, real progress. It comes with risk like every thing does, but what have you got to loose? You and I know both know your not really getting anywhere as is. Eventually the hunters will die off if nothing changes. No real organization, no funding...its a slow death, but still death.”
“Give it up Tom.” Jerry almost chuckled over his coffee. “You know he had you at ‘kill a master’ who you trying to fool? He is also completely correct, we are dying a slow death if nothing changes.”
“Not helping man, not helping at all.” Tom sighed, resigned to the truth, lighting up a smoke. “You’re right of course, there is no good outcome as it is. We need to grow, we need money and organization. So I agree with you so far.”
“Great, its a beginning!” I laughed, sticking the knife toward Jerry hilt first. “Beautiful weapon by the way.”
“You keep it, called a token of friendship, or a hunch that your going to need it more then me. Besides your probably way more likely to use it then I am. Been opening boxes with it.” He handed me an ankle sheath “I’ll stick to distance, Jake was nuts, but also trained. I am just nuts.”
“I don’t have a gift in return.” I bowed slightly, taking the sheath. They both laughed for a few seconds
“No No gift at all, just our own city, possible contacts with other hunters. Maybe a Vamp to hunt with us and we get to kill a master and his second. Really, no gift at all. Oh and their Lair, which I am pretty sure is better then this place.” Tom said as he laughed.
“Hope man, you give us hope.” Jerry said solemnly. “Thats something we haven’t had in a very long time.”
An awkward silence settled as everyone realized not only the magnitude of it, but the risk involved as well. The possibility to begin in earnest waging an effective war on the vampires or the lose of everything. Hope is a very dangerous thing intoxicating but terrifying.
“Here’s the address, tomorrow night at dusk. Come alone or bring your crew. I guess that depends on how much you trust me. I will be there waiting, please don’t come during the day its locked up like Fort Knox and the people who work above don’t know shit.” I left out the fact that they worked for the master, but it was mute point. They would as easily work for the hunters. “I’ll be up by then and can let you in.”
“We will be there. Be an interesting night either way.” Jerry said as Tom nodded in agreement. “If its a set up you’ll get all of us in one shot, they’ll all be with us. Figure we trust you.”
“See ya then, but bring your own coffee and snacks. The cupboards at the lair are pretty empty.” I laughed doing my best to move slowly as I headed toward the door.
“You never said why you are hunting those two, or why you wanted to kill of them?” Tom asked, definitely the thinker.
“Maybe if I survive I’ll tell you, just know what I said was the truth. I will kill the Justicar and Carnifex.” Looking back before closing the door. Yup both wearing the now familiar blank stare and mouths hanging open, they knew who they were. Then I was gone, when the door closed I turned on the speed, back to the lair. Tomorrow night would be eventful to say the least, Time to get things lined up for the next move..Richmond.