The Two Vampires (6 page)

‘He is substantially older than me, he has taken more victims, more blood, more lives.  He is stronger than me.’

Sarah stood up and paced, ‘Then what can we do?’

‘We must kill him, we must think of a plan, before he destroys us.  He will want you too, to spite me.’

Daniel got up and walked towards Sarah, she felt her heart pound as he took her hand. 

‘Sarah, I want you now.  I want you to be with me.’

Sarah felt confused, she pulled away.

‘But, I don’t want to be like you.  I don’t want you to turn me.’

‘I won’t.’ He stepped forward and brushed her hair away from her face, his cool fingers making her tingle. 

‘I’m so confused Daniel, I feel crazed by my feelings for you.  I want you, but this is all so crazy.  I’ve only just lost Jo.’

‘I know, I’m pushing things, but I’m crazy for you.  You are so beautiful.  And your smell, he pulled her close and breathed her in again, you smell different, amazing.  And when I look into your eyes, I see you, I feel this draw I can’t explain.’

‘I feel it too.’  Sarah let him kiss her, and she kissed him back fiercely.  She made herself pull away, ‘I have children Daniel.  If Sebastian leaves this town, what then, you will follow him?  You will just leave?  I can’t follow you, I love Megan and Bea, I need to look after them.’

‘That’s why we have to end this, to destroy him.  Then I will never have to leave.’

‘And Jo, we destroy him too?  We kill him?’

‘If we don’t he will kill.  He probably has already.’

‘What if he’s like you?  What if he feels things more intensely and can reject that life?’

‘From seeing him earlier, I think that’s unlikely.  He wanted to kill you Sarah.’

‘But if we kill him, it’s so final.  I can’t accept this is happening.’

Sarah pulled back and sat back down at the table.  Picking up her glass she glugged at her wine, numbing her reality.

‘I don’t want to kill him.  I don’t want him to be dead.  Can’t we leave, get my kids and run away?’

‘But if we do that, how many people will die?  Do you want that?’

‘No, I don’t!  But to kill him.  Who would that make me?  What would it do to me?’

‘You would be a protector, you would be protecting this town.  He’s completely lost to you already.  You can’t have him back Sarah.’

Sarah looked into his eyes.  ‘I don’t want him back.  I just don’t want this to be happening.’

‘Neither do I, although it has led me to you,’ he actually grinned, ‘I’m sorry Sarah, I know it’s destroying your world.  But I’ve been in this alone.’

‘For how long?’ Sarah asked.

‘Thirty years.’

‘It’s only thirty years since you’ve been a vampire?’  Sarah actually laughed herself, ‘I’m sorry, it’s just I would have expected you to be a lot older.’  She raised her eyebrows at him.

‘That still means I’ve been a vampire for longer than you’ve been alive though,’ he smirked, smoldering at her.  Heat rose in her cheeks again, and she let it, watching him watch her appreciatively. 

‘Daniel,’ she said more seriously, trying to bring him back on track.  ‘What can we do, even if we are to plan to kill them.  Both Sebastian and Jo.  How are we going to do it?  Have you ever tried to kill Sebastian before?’

‘Yes, I have.  A few times actually.  I’ve fought him, I’ve tried to trick him, but it’s never worked.  He laughs at me, like I’m an annoying fly he can brush aside.  He doesn’t really try that hard to kill me though.  He turned me - I think he still wants me to be like him.’

‘How old is Sebastian?’

‘He really is old, a lot older than me.  Maybe 700 years.  I don’t know exactly.’

‘And is he invading this town?  What has he done before?  What have you watched him do?’

‘He has done all sorts of things.  He picks towns, always a long way away from each other.  Typically in different countries to cover this tracks.  Then he tears them apart.  He turns people.  He kills people.  He turns people against each other.  Sometimes he leaves it at that, moves on, finds something else to amuse himself with.  Every few years he will take it all the way, completely destroy everything and everyone in the town.  Literally leaving no-one alive.  He will create some cover story and influence investigators to forget, tell media some story, gas explosion, the like.  Then he will leave to torment someone else.  That’s what he enjoys.’

Sarah fell silent.  She couldn’t bear the thought of so much destruction. 

But thoughts played at the edge of her mind.  ‘Could I kill a vampire?  Am I strong enough?’

‘Yes, I’m sure you could ram a stake into a vampire’s heart, up through the ribs or from behind.  You would have to catch them by surprise though, as they are much faster than you.  You probably couldn’t manage to decapitate a vampire.  That takes greater strength, or a weapon.  But it would be hard to wield a weapon strong enough for the job, fast enough for them not to defend themselves.’

‘Have you killed other vampires?’

‘Yes, I’ve killed other vampires Sebastian has turned.’

‘What next?  We need a plan but my mind is drawing up blank,’ Sarah said.

‘They will probably be out later tonight, looking for victims,’ Daniel said.  He looked bleak, sickened himself.  ‘I could go out, watch them, see what I can do.’

‘
We
 could go out, I can’t let you do this alone.’

‘You should stay here, where you’re safe.’

‘But I won’t feel safe.  And it will drive me mad not knowing what’s going on.’

‘If you come, will you stay with me?  I can’t let you unless you promise to stay by my side.  Otherwise I can’t protect you.’

Sarah looked at Daniel, so earnest, worried for her.  She couldn’t help but agree.  She nodded, looking into his dark eyes.

Jo sat waiting
in his favorite tree.  Darkness had fallen some time ago and he listened to the night sounds.  Activity was increasing on the forest floor as night creatures came out to feed, he could hear them nosing around in the leaves.  His thirst was increasing, not satisfied by his earlier hunt, still fueled by memories of Sarah. 

Sebastian had swooped off as a bat earlier and Jo awaited his return.  Then they would go hunting.  For real.  For people.  He felt his teeth extending at the thought and had to take deep breaths to make them retract.  Finally he saw a bat flying back towards him.  Sebastian landed next to him and took his human shape.  ‘Hungry?’ he asked with a twinkle in his eye.  ‘Follow me.’

And Jo did, eagerly.  Sebastian ran, zipping through the forest, still in his human form.  Jo sped after him, delighting in his new abilities, excited about the thought of densely packed bodies.  When they reached the edge of town Sebastian slowed to a walk and Jo joined him.

‘Listen Jo, you can’t just jump people like you did earlier.  When we reach a bar you need to focus within, try to ignore your thirst for blood.  We will order drinks, blend in.  Only then will you choose your victim.  Find a girl, someone you find attractive if you like, and charm her, encourage her to leave with you.   Then you can feed.  Remember what you did earlier, sending out tendrils of power to coax a victim towards you?  That’s another strategy.  You can lurk in the dark and draw people towards you.  But it will be harder in a bar with so many people, so many thought patterns tangling with your powers.  It will be easier when you become stronger.’

Jo listened to Sebastian, but he found it hard to think past the word blood.  He thought about all those people in one room and didn’t know how he would control himself.

They walked down dark streets, only the occasional lights illuminating their way.  They were reaching the dodgy end of town, the old shattered windows and peeling paint Jo was already quite familiar with.  He’d spent a fair amount of time in these bars as a human, when he couldn’t handle staying at home any longer.  When he’d needed a break from the intensity of life with a wife, with children.  

He may be recognized, but what did it matter?  He could run if needed, could influence to protect himself.  He could kill.

They stopped at the first bar they came to.  Jo stood outside looking at the dim light radiating above the battered sign.  He could hear people inside, music, talking, hearts pounding at different speeds.  He could smell the scent of people and was drawn forward.  Sebastian held out his arm to block his way, ‘Wait, remember control.  Breathe deeply.  Get your victim somewhere unseen before you feed.’

Jo nodded and opened the door.  It was crowded and dark.  Perfect.  He had to push through warm bodies just to reach the bar.  Sebastian was next to him, keeping close tabs. 

Sebastian ordered drinks while Jo stood, captivated by all the people.  There was so much blood.  He looked around, trying to choose.  His throat was so dry, every particle of his body longed to grab the nearest blood source, rip its neck aside and glug that warm sweet liquid.  He struggled not to let his teeth extend, feeling Sebastian’s eyes on him.  Then he was back, passing Jo a tumbler filled with liquor.  ‘It will help keep you under control, until you find what you want.’

Jo necked it.  Feeling the alcohol seep into his veins.  It didn’t stop his hunger, but it allowed his mind to see through it.

‘Now watch me.  When I take someone outside, follow, but keep to the shadows,’ Sebastian said.

Jo pushed through the crowd, fighting temptation.  He leant against a doorframe to steady himself, his veins were aching for blood.  He watched Sebastian, dark and tall, moving through the crowd, into the dancing throng.    

Sebastian moved to the music, dark trances.  If it hadn’t been so dim his height would have made him stand out, but his dark clothes and fluid movement let him blend.  He moved through the room to a girl dancing alone.  She looked like Sarah, with her long flowing hair and a thin frame.  He saw Sebastian smile at her, moving closer, seducing her.  He watched as he looked into her eyes, influencing her, then he took her hand and she followed him towards the door. 

This is it, he thought, and moved through the crowd, finding it easy to copy Sebastian’s fluid movements, one of the advantages of being a vampire.  He would never have danced as a human, preferring to drink and watch. 

As he stepped out of the bar into the cool night, rain pummeled him and he pulled his jacket up to keep himself dry.  He saw Sebastian disappearing around a corner with the girl.  He quickly walked behind them, peering around into the alley.    

There he saw Sebastian, up ahead, pushing the girl against the wall.  She was giggling, looking up at him.  He supposed Sebastian was actually quite good looking, tall and dark and muscular.  He probably didn’t have much difficulty getting girls to leave with him, even without influencing them.  Especially when they were intoxicated with alcohol.  Jo entered the alley and leant against a wall, watching. 

Sebastian leant down, smiling at the girl and picked her up so her face was at his level.  She looked entranced with him, happy with herself for being out here, in an alleyway, with an unknown man.  He leant in, Jo expecting him to go straight ahead with the feed.  But instead he kissed her and pushed himself against her, feeling her all over.  Jo felt impatient.  He wanted to watch the feed, wanted to feed himself.  He wanted to rip that girl out of Sebastian’s arms and feed on her.  Drink her blood.  Or go inside, choose his victim. But if Sebastian wanted him to watch, he would watch. 

Once the girl was putty, completely succumbed to Sebastian’s charms, that was when his kisses reached her neck, Jo imagined his teeth extending then he heard the bite, heard her whimper as the twin fangs sank into her neck.  He could hear Sebastian gulping her blood.  As her heart began to slow Sebastian withdrew his teeth from her neck leaving her just alive, eyes half closed leaning back against the wall, still supported by Sebastian.  Instead of stepping back be bit his own wrist and pushed it against her mouth.  She started to gulp at his blood, sucking it inside, her wounds healing.  Then he snapped her neck, stepped back and let her fall to the ground.  Jo watched, not quite believing what Sebastian had done, his control not to kill the girl, his enjoyment in the feed, beyond the pull of the blood, his decision to turn her.

Sebastian straightened his clothes and turned to face Jo, wiping all traces of blood from his mouth.  He looked wild, smug, ready for more. 

‘What did you do?  Why did you turn her?’ asked Jo.

‘All part of the plan, it would take a long time to destroy the town just the two of us.  I might get bored.  Now, it’s your turn.  I will watch.’

Yes, this is it.  And Jo hurried back to the bar, into the crowd.

He moved smoothly onto the dance floor, entranced by the rhythms, the throng of hearts.  He saw two girls ahead of him, and approached one from behind.  Focusing on her blood flowing, he wanted to rip into her neck right there, but managed to resist, withholding temptation. 

He sent out tendrils of power, coaxing her mind, making her more receptive, and she turned, eyeing him appreciatively.  She began to dance with him, bringing her hands up to his shoulders and they swayed together.  Her friend rolled her eyes and moved off. 

The girl he’d chosen looked pretty but torn, short dark hair, dark eyes heavy with eyeliner.  She danced like she was trying to lose herself with him, forget the normality of life. 

Jo felt, heard and smelt her blood, flowing around her body, her heart beating fast with her movement, her attraction.  He caught her chin with his fingers and brought her eyes up to his.  ‘Let’s leave,’ he said, projecting influence.  He caught her hand, and this time it was him leading the girl outside. 

He pulled her into the same alley, but not so far down; he didn’t want her to notice the other girl lying on the ground.  He couldn’t resist and turned to face her, his teeth instantly extending.  She sensed the change in him, sensed she was in danger and tried to step away, but Jo grabbed her, he didn’t have Sebastian’s patience. 

He did as he’d been longing to do all day, he yanked her head aside by her hair and sank his teeth deep into her neck.  She yelled out and he reached around with one hand, smothering her cries, using his left hand and his teeth to keep her in place.  He drank her as fast as he could, gulping the real, intoxicating liquid.  So much better than alcohol, so much better than that deer. 

She weakened and stopped fighting.  He sank his teeth deeper, trying to get every drop of her before she fell, drained, dead, in a heap on the wet ground.   He staggered back, buzzing with blood, with life.

Sebastian was there, watching.  Jo had been so enthralled in his feed he hadn’t even noticed.

‘Pick up the girl Jo, take her further into the alley where your next victim won’t notice her.’

Jo did as he was told, feeling amazing.  He picked the girl up, she was light like a doll, and carried her deeper into the dark.  He discarded her by some bins and turned, wiping blood off his face, not giving her a second thought, and returned to Sebastian’s side, awaiting his next command.

‘I’m impressed.  You managed to restrain yourself until you were out of the bar, I wasn’t sure you could manage it.  It will be sometime until you can control yourself enough to interrupt the feed.  But you can kill; just make sure you hide the bodies.  Killing is all part of the plan.’

Jo regarded Sebastian, life strumming through his veins, he still felt eager, hungry for more.

***

Sarah was ready to leave.  She had put on tight faded jeans with black boots and wore them with a high necked black top.  The idea was, if vampires couldn’t see her neck it might reduce temptation. 

She’d applied makeup to help her blend in.  Then she’d covered herself up in a very thick coat and hood to keep her warm and dry.  In the pockets she had stashed some wooden stakes Daniel had given her.  He’d even given her a little tutorial, getting her to practice on him, except without actually stabbing him, of course.  They had spent an age waiting to go out, waiting until it was late enough.  Sarah had put on a movie to try and calm her mind.  Not that it had worked, although it was hard to think of anything apart from Daniel, with him so close.  Regardless of their situation. 

As they left together to go out, it felt completely different from earlier.  Sarah couldn’t believe it was only this morning he had knocked at her door.  So much had happened.  She was feeling more comfortable with Daniel, and he was more protective than ever, as they headed out into the dark together.  He kept his arm around her and constantly looked about.  Sarah sensed he was on edge, like he was expecting someone to attack before they’d even left her drive.  The Victorian lamps only provided minimal lighting, enough for Sarah to see where she was treading, and the odd tree branch.  She suspected Daniel’s eyesight was much more acute though, and wondered how much of an advantage he had. 

As they entered the main streets it was silent, nobody out in this region so late.  Even around the bars there wouldn’t be anyone out - if anyone went outside it would be brief due to the cold.  After a substantial walk, they reached the grotty area.  Daniel was more alert than ever.  Music pounded out of a venue ahead and they ducked inside, finding themselves instantly in a crowd.  Sarah felt Daniel tighten his grip on her.  Her heart pounded, it felt like something could happen any minute and she had no idea how this evening was going to go.  She could barely believe that she might try and kill Jo.  Or Sebastian - not that she’d stand much chance against him.  Their best chance would be to tackle Jo alone, they might be able to kill him. 

But could she do it?  She saw his image from earlier flash back into her mind
.  
I could do it if he was acting like that.  She didn’t think she could if he acted normal.  She wouldn’t be able to believe what had happened earlier.  What if she had hallucinated the whole thing?  What if Jo wasn’t a monster at all?  What if she was actually going mad, seeing things? 

Music thudded around her.  It was dark and people bumped into her.  The place smelt bad; smoke, spilt drinks and sweat.  She pushed through, looking for any sign of Jo, Daniel holding her hand.  He had explained to her what Sebastian looked like.  Very tall, thin, longish hair, dark eyes.  Probably dressed much like Daniel.  She hadn’t seen a photo though so really was trusting in Daniel to spot him.  Sarah looked hard, investigating every corner, but couldn’t see any sign of either of them.  She looked at Daniel and he gesticulated towards the door. 

As the fresh air hit her Sarah breathed it in, relieved to be in the open.

‘Next place?’ she asked.

‘Yes, but first . . .’ and he leant in and kissed her.  She felt warmth spread through her, feeling giddy with attraction, and broke into a smile as he pulled away. 

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the next place, looking intently down every alley.  It was much of the same; dark, crowded, smoky. When they left this one Sarah’s unease increased.  It seemed likely they would have to face some kind of situation soon.   

The next bar was quieter.  Sarah kept thinking she saw Jo in the dark, but at second glance realizing it was just her paranoia.  She kept looking for his short hair and warm brown eyes, or his chunky well-built frame.  The thing was, these weren’t uncommon features - it was easy to think that she was seeing things in the dark.  She was also keenly looking for blood, inspecting necks, seeing if there were any signs of bites.