Chapter 8
"You see? I have class." Zan said as he swept her across the dance floor. Jayna turned gently in his arms to the small band playing. He did clean up quite nicely, in his tailored suit, and polished shoes. The restaurant was off the beaten path of J Street, not so far that there weren't high school kids dressed up for a formal dance, obvious with their corsages. Older married couples drank in the nostalgia, reveling in the fact that all of the kids were out of the nest. Then there were the cheating husbands and wives who came here, lying to themselves that this was the romance their relationships had lost.
"Not bad. I'm waiting for them to play Copland, or Mozart." She said, thinking back across the ages. The tune gently ended and the dancers applauded and drifted back to their tables. "I'm still shocked you didn't take me to Denny's." She chided.
"Funny. This place has a dress code."
"That's so rare these days. So truthfully, whom did you trace here? You couldn't have found this on your own." She sipped her wine and sampled the sorbet.
"The Mayor."
"Ah. You really surprise me sometimes. There are days when I think you're a total jerk, and then you pull off something like this."
"So you're saying I'm… Deep?"
"Ugh. Then you say something like that, and I remember it's you." They laughed and looked at each other in the candlelight. The waiter, who unceremoniously dropped the bill beside Zan's half-eaten sorbet with a 'thud', broke the moment.
"Your bill, sir." The voice was not the honey drippings that they had joked about earlier, this was a gravelly whisper, one Zan knew well, and it made his skin crawl. The two looked up from the offending tab to see the hideous man glaring down at them. His fine suit was the only way he could have possibly blended in.
"Kelegar."
"The Master would have word with you. I will be out front." With that Kelegar took his leave, smoothly walking through the tables, unnoticed by the other patrons.
"Damn. That guy knows how to make an entrance." Zan grabbed for his wallet. He left a generous tip, hoping that the waiter was still alive enough to get it. They crossed toward the door more like conspirators than lovers did. "I'm sorry about this, but this is an invite I can't refuse." As they stepped onto the street, Kelegar's limo waited for them, the old man stood watching. "Jay take the car, I'll be back as soon as I can."
"No. Her presence is also requested."
"What? She hasn't…"
"She does." The keys were snatched out of Zan's hand by a passer by. "Peitor will take your car back, get in." He said, opening the door. The two looked at each other and surrendered to the inevitable.
"Thanks for ruining my evening, handsome." Jayna mumbled as she climbed into the car. Then she was taken aback by the enormous dog that looked at her. "That's a big dog."
"Pollux, Jayna. Jayna, Pollux." Zan muttered, pointing. Kelegar climbed in and grunted at the driver. Jay and Zan faced the front of the limo and their hosts. The car moved smoothly, swiftly away. "I am so sorry about this." He whispered to her. "Please, let me handle this. Just don't make any sudden moves around the 'boys'."
"The?" She gestured subtly in Pollux's direction.
"Boys." He nodded. Jay wished she had her glasses on her but her clutch purse was too small to carry 90% of the things she normally did. Tonight she was supposed to be 'off' and thought she wouldn't need them.
"Old English Mastiff?" She asked Kelegar, looking at the dog that was nearly as big as she was. Pollux was a beautiful example of his breed. His grey fur suited his ownership and the black of his face and snout absorbed the light. He seemed very intelligent to her, his head movements were steady and deliberate, and he didn't distract easily. For Jayna it was akin to sitting too close to the lion pen at the zoo while smelling like fresh meat.
"Roman, actually."
"He's very well trained." The dog unnerved her. She had seen dogs like this used by the Legions of Rome as beasts of war. She had not seen one this large in a very long time. He had to be pushing 200 pounds, none of it fat. Pollux looked at her, as though he were taking in the conversation.
"I'll tell the Master." Kelegar nodded, accepting the compliment. Kelegar and Pollux shared a glance and the old man fought a grin.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The great old manor opened before them. Pollux and Kelegar flanked the two as they walked in, and their footsteps echoed in the silence. The doors opened to find the Master sitting with Castor in the empty hall.
"Who is he and what does he think he's doing?" Ravenstrom asked from his wheelchair. The question stopped Zan in his tracks.
"I…"
"He is making the Kindred of J Street very nervous, staggering about with a samurai." Zan looked back at Jayna, he was drowning. "Well?"
"Perhaps my lord should be more specific… Who is my lord speaking of?" Zan's tone became very formal. He was prey among the predators. Pollux walked past them and sat on the Master's other side. Ravenstrom watched Pollux approach. Then turned to Kelegar. The silence was deafening.
"The Revenant." Ravenstrom said. Zan turned to Jayna, still confused. The word hit her hard, a blow from years past. "Is he, hers? The Paladin's?"
"David." Jayna whispered. "You're talking about David."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Michael and Ciela walked out of the mall, his arm around her shoulder, hers about his waist. Her head lay against him as they walked. "I had plans tonight."
"Hmm? Did you say something?" He asked, kissing her on the head.
"It's not important." She lied. "Why would David do this? Why now?"
"I'll add those to our list of questions. Who is he really, or who was he? Why didn't he stay dead? I think that he may have found his meaning tonight."
"Why tonight? He had to find his 'meaning' in a sporting goods store?" Ciela pushed away from him and stepped away.
"He's a guy, maybe there's a game?" Mike joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Why did he have to pick tonight?!" Mike moved toward her. "Why? I wanted tonight to be special." Mike took her in his arms.
"Every night with you is special." He pulled her in and kissed her.
"Let's run away."
"What?"
"You and me." Ciela said as she snuggled into him. "We'll get off J Street and…" The sound of an engine and the squeal of tires on wet pavement cut her off. They turned into the flashing lights of the JSPD squad car.
Torres leaned out. "We found him."
Chapter 9
He sat on the barstool. The only illumination was the icicle lights that were strung up around the floor joists over his head. He rocked slowly as tears of blood dripped down his face and onto the mandolin he played. The song was a dirge. It echoed his mood as did the posters and Halloween decorations that hung about, rubber bats, plastic skeletons, and paper spiders on cotton webbing that enhanced his lair. "We'll stay, forever this way…" He sang. This song, this perfect song, so panned by his peers fit the kindred so well, couldn't they see that? "And I know, that, my heart will… go on." He lingered as the melody tortured his damned soul. Vlad loved to sing. He longed to perform at the Crypt, to sit upon the stage and bring those Hot Topic posers to tears with his rendition of this song. His revelry was shattered by three loud kicks on the storm cellar door. "Pile high to the sky the bodies of my, ex-lover's lovers. Die. Die, die, di-die, die… C'MON DOWN! Die di-die, die, di-die, watch them… die." Secretia and the Lord Count Baron Maloderous descended into the depths of Vlad's lair, deep within his parent's basement.
"You had better be ready to go, Vlad." Maloderous growled as he knocked the top hat from his head for the umpteenth time at the bottom of the stairs. "If we don't get to the club early all the good booths will be gone."
"I know, I know." Vlad put his mandolin carefully in its case and reached for his cloak.
"We didn't see the caddy in the driveway."
"Dad has a sales banquette tonight. It's the Volvo or nothing."
"We can't arrive in a Volvo. It's beneath our dignity!"
"It's either that, the bus, or walk. Take your pick." Maloderous hated taking the bus almost as much as he detested walking. If they walked it would be over an hour before they made the club and that would never do. If they rode the bus there would be the inevitable confrontation with one or more street toughs and that could get messy.
"Volvo it is, " he sighed, "but park around the block, will you?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "David." Ravenstrom said slowly, wrapping his cracked lips around the name. "She seems to know. Tell me of the Revenant, David." Ravenstrom beckoned her forward. Although no one stood within arms reach she could almost feel a hand at her back guiding her on. She had been careful not to initiate eye contact with either man, but still their power was a physical thing in the cavernous hall. The dogs looked at her. What were they?
"David…" She said shuffling a couple of steps ahead, "we're not sure what he is really. We're trying to find out. He is his own person, although he doesn't remember his past life. He is drawn to Azangel, and acts as her protector, but he isn't hers…"
"The Paladin."
"Yes."
"My Lord…" Aquarius moved beside Jayna, fearing for her.
"I'm ok." She mumbled. Ravenstrom shifted in his wheelchair, his body creaking and groaning in protest.
"What is he doing now? Why is he traipsing through the Kindred section of J Street?" The old man tried to sound conversational, casual, a tone Zan hadn't heard before and it spooked him. They were talking as though this was a play or a movie she had seen and he wanted her thoughts. Was he playing to Jayna because she was a woman and he was a man of the Old World, or was he plotting?
"We know nothing of his motivations. We think he might have returned to complete some unfinished business, but what, we don't know." Jayna saw now why Zan obeyed this man. She stood some three yards from him, but even here she didn't feel safe from his reach. She felt like his claws were inches from her skin. As ugly and disfigured as he was there was still an elegance about him, he was a gentleman, and she could feel his charm. If he demanded her blood she… started talking again, to block such thoughts.
"He's only carried weapons of opportunity, if he has a Samurai then it must be one of mine." She started thinking of the swords, which it could be. That helped to keep her mind occupied. "He will be dangerous with it, as skilled as its owners. It's part of his gift."
"Why is he drawn to Asche's club? What is the connection there?"
"Asche's club?" She turned to Zan.
"Fallen Angels." Zan said to her. "The one where we had that work. Asche laid claim to it, the Master had thought that he was involved in that relic business."
"And this Asche is?"
"A rogue element, popular but dangerous." Kelegar said from behind them. "There is talk that he is trying to consolidate a power base."
"You don't approve, I take it." Jayna asked, not sure where this was going.
"Asche wishes the Kindred of J Street to throw off their mortal leaders and treat them as cattle." Ravenstrom said matter-of-factly. "He believes that a state of détente can be achieved between the Metas and the Kindred." Jayna's blood ran icy at the thought.
"And does my lord differ in his beliefs if I may ask?" Jayna asked as she pulled on reserves of strength. Kelegar hissed and bared his fangs, as the dogs bristled.
"Jayna." Zan coarsely whispered, warning her. The room tensed and Ravenstrom laughed. All eyes went to him.
"Your steel is to be admired, I will answer you because you amuse me. I have not fed on mortal blood in nearly two hundred years. Since that time I have only tasted their blood for my amusement. I haven't even done that in nearly twenty years." Ravenstrom leaned forward to give his words added emphasis. "I and mine feed off our own kind."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "See, we got a good booth. You worry too much." Secretia said scooting in. She loved this club because you could come here and rub elbows with the truly powerful. She hoped that one day she would meet 'him' here. He would drift into the club, just above the floor, his hair black as a raven and then their eyes would meet. She would feel his power enter her and draw her to him. His perfectly manicured nails, tipping long slender fingers that would beckon her forth. She would brush her fingertips up the cold sculpted marble of his bare chest, pushing aside his velvet jacket. He would take her in his arms, look deep into her eyes and whisper softly.
"Am I wearing too much mascara? Do you think?" Vlad recoiled as Secretia reached across Maloderous and slapped him for all she was worth. "OW! What? What did I do?"
"Secretia?" Maloderous turned to her as he scooted himself and Vlad a foot or so further from their violent companion.
"God, just shut him up for a while." Secretia straightened her dress and hair. She looked out into the club and began picking out the posers from the kindred. She was the only one who kept up on the gossip and rumor mill. "Asche's here. The owner…look" She pointed out a tall, overly blonde Kindred with a slim mortal girl elegantly dressed in a low cut…gorgeous…velvet dress. I have to get that raise at Hair Hut and get a dress like that! Maybe then I'll be able to get away from these losers…Secretia thought as Vlad and Malodorous stared at the dresses' main attractions.
Secretia returned her attention to the pair across the club. The mortal girl's long chestnut hair was pulled back loosely; a few feathery strands hanging down over her otherwise exposed shoulders and neck, a few stray bangs framing piercing green eyes. No one would ever dare harm her, even as inviting as her exposed throat was: She was Asche's and everyone knew it.
Asche, at least a foot taller than the young mortal, was muscular and lean all at the same time, and loved to show it off in tight leather and thin, metallic shirts that both covered and exposed every muscle and sinew in his undead frame. He moved lithely, graceful and catlike in his every gesture. He enjoyed showing off his body and chose his outfits accordingly, primping and preening his bleached, spiked hair. It was retro, Billy Idol-ish, but he pulled it off well, Secretia noted with a hidden grin.
He glanced around the club, sharp blue eyes passing over everything briefly. Then he looped one leather-clad arm possessively around the girl's waist, and the pair walked away from the bar toward the back rooms.
"I wish we could get back there." Vlad mumbled. "That's where the real power is." He had looked up from his compact, examining the damage Secretia had done to his make-up.
"We'll never get back there, arriving in the Volvo." Maloderous growled. The waitress brought over three glasses. In any other club it would be red wine but here, since the owner was a vampire, it was the real deal. "At last. This is the only reason you get me in here my dear." He toasted Secretia who nodded at him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ David stood up on the roof of his old building. He walked over to where they had stood, watched the sunrise and Leah promised him her hand. He stood allowing his coat to catch the wind.
~ Come boy, break's over. ~
Chapter10
The growl of the motorcycle quickly silenced as it skidded to a stop in front of the Fallen Angels. Ciela hardly waited for the bike to come to a stop before she lept off, and walked toward the doorway as liquid gold flowed down her arms and up to her jaw. The shattered door to the club had been tossed aside as mortals and Vampires alike rushed out and ran down the street. "Cie. Be careful." Mike eased himself off the bike, his jacket reflecting the lights of the JSPD squad cars that surrounded them. "It's probably not the David you know." She looked back at him and nodded.
Lt. Torres stepped from her car. "Break out the heavy ordinance."
Azangel pushed her way into the debris-strewn club and quickly surveyed the scene. The floor was littered with broken tables, chairs, glass, and bodies. The melee was centered near the back of the club, where a tight ring of bodies struggled and fell. With a quick glance behind her to see that Mike hadn't followed her in, she faced the mob, and got their attention.
Mike saw the flash of light on the street and it washed away his hesitation. He was reluctant to place himself into open battle with metas but Ciela was in there, and she was alone. Clutching his medicine pouch he ran to her side.
The Vampires reeled from the flash, and even some of the twisted bodies on the floor reacted and tried to move away from the woman who could burn them as easily as high noon on a summer's day. Az put her wings away quickly and posed, wondering if she had spent too much time around Superion. "Who's going to clean this mess up?" The knot of figures vanished in a blur leaving a lone swordsman. "David?" She asked, her voice filled with anguish. He brought the sword into a ready position and looked across the room at her. He was barely recognizable. She shuddered, then she felt Michael's hand on her shoulder.
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…"
"David." Az stepped forward, reaching out to him.
"Humpty Dumpty had a great fall."
"He looks like hell." Mike whispered.
"David please, let me help."
"All the King's horses and all the King's men, couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again."
"We can try."
The nameless one shrugged. "They had omelets." Then he bolted for the back room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The long black limousine came to a gentle stop beside the police cruisers. Lt. Torres looked up when an officer tapped her arm. "Wonderful." She grumbled. She stepped around the car as a truly ugly man stepped out followed by an enormous dog. "Kelegar, Slumming?"
"This is a Kindred matter, Lieutenant. Do not interfere." Kelegar walked past her, his words were his only acknowledgement of the woman's presence, and he dismissed her with a gesture. Aquarius and Jayna climbed out of the limo and followed him towards the club.
"You owe me for this." Jayna muttered to Aqua as they walked.
"You think that's it? You think you can just waltz in here…" Pollux's glance back at the police Lieutenant was enough to silence her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "We should leave." Vlad looked at his lord and master. "We should go. Now."
"You think it's safe?" Maloderous asked and glanced at Secretia. The three had been cowering under the table since the fight had begun. They'd recognized Az's presence when she came in and had the good sense not to look at her for long. "You're right. Time to go." When the three quickly climbed out from under the table, they felt the presence. It was like a cold knot in the pit of their stomachs. They felt an overwhelming Kindred presence, strong, old, and powerful. Together they turned toward the door.
Secretia trembled in fear, never before had she felt such anything like this. Through the door he strode, confidant, powerful, he carried himself like a king. She looked at him, his Italian shoes, elegant overcoat, subtle and understated jewelry, the pale grey of his skin, and hawkish nose. His years were carved into his face. She was in awe. Involuntarily, she stepped forward and stared at his polished obsidian eyes.
"Excellent. Witnesses." Kelegar gestured at the three and Pollux advanced on them. Vlad and Maloderous retreated as far as they could until a wall stopped them. Secretia stood rooted to the ground, convinced his accent was Russian. She thought how well he would have looked at court with the Tsar.
"This place looks like a war zone." Aqua glanced around. "We're a little late."
"Good." Jayna muttered as the back door burst open. Three men appeared out of nowhere, and Jay stepped closer to Aqua and they braced in anticipation of what was to come. The three gave their attention to the door through which they came. Flames licked the doorframe as a woman walked slowly forward. The flames reflected in the gold of her armour.
"When I catch you little bastards…" Az looked up. "Hey! Hi guys!" She waved. The three turned and listened to the low growling of Pollux. "David is, was, here. Did you see him?"
"No." Kelegar answered. The threat of fire forced the corpses on the floor to begin to rise. The club began to fill with smoke. "Aquarius, the fire." Kelegar stepped forward. "The field is mine. Surrender!" The timber of his command shook Secretia to her marrow. She wondered who could resist this power.
"Screw you old man!" One of the toughs shouted. "You're old news!" The tough made a rude gesture and signaled to his men. The three broke away from Az and bolted to the walls. Aquarius ran for the backroom. Jayna braced herself while Azangel gave chase, and followed until the toughs took to bounding off the walls. Kelegar stood his ground unconcerned, watching the lead tough. Pollux stepped away from his prisoners and watched the Kindred toughs bounce around the room like angry wasps. The wounded that had been able to get their feet back under them staggered, some joined the angry flight and others wondered if they should risk it. Vlad and Maloderous pressed themselves against the wall trying not to be noticed. Jayna pulled a fist back and waited. Azangel also assumed a defensive posture.
Pollux left the floor. He bounded off of three walls, a grey blur, and landed on a tough's back, slamming him into the floor. The mastiff buried his canines into the latissimus dorsi of his helpless prey. With a snort and powerful flex of his jaw he crushed the rib cage, severed the Kindred's spine, and drained him dry. The wet crunch of the brief attack stopped all movement and drew all eyes. Kindred and mortal turned to see Pollux raise a bloody muzzle over his shriveled prey. When the great grey beast snorted again his snout was dry. The blood was gone, absorbed into his hide. The room, save Kelegar, was aghast, unfortunately one of the toughs was within Jayna's reach. Her blow sent him tumbling across the club. Azangel took advantage of the lull and sent two of the wounded sprawling.
"You cannot resist us! Surrender!" Kelegar demanded. Secretia stared fascinated. Had the Cossacks, or even the dreaded SS, wielded such power? In her minds eye she envisioned him in an all leather SS uniform, and her heart fluttered. She blinked quickly to clear the distracting image. The wasp toughs hung in the air like marionettes staring at the horror of Pollux's attack. They had served Asche but had never seen, never dreamt of such raw power. "Pollux!"
"No! Wait!" One of the toughs gestured to Kelegar.
"Coward!" The leader from before twisted in the air, kicked at the wall and landed before Pollux. "It's a dog, you fool. I'll kill the abomination myself." The tough mustered all of his power and stared into the black eyes of the mastiff. The three wounded who had remained on the ground fell to their knees and raised their hands in supplication. Pollux stared back at the vampire as he advanced and bared his fangs. The mastiff stood his ground and glared back. It was decided in moments as the tough recoiled and fell backward as though struck.
"It is OVER!" Kelegar stepped forward. "Surrender or he meets his final death." The toughs who hung in the air moved back slightly and looked at each other.
"He is nothing!" One barked. "We go to our Lord's side! We'll get you old man, and your little dog too!" The airborne toughs vanished in a blur, rushing out the door like an ill wind. The wounded who had yielded lowered their heads as though in silent prayer.
The boisterous tough who had lost to Pollux sat upon the floor gasping. "We will destroy you, old man."
"Defiant to the last." Kelegar sniffed the air and walked over to him. "Your threats mean nothing to me. I was killing your kind before your grandfather was born. Asche. What are his plans? Why does the Revenant hunt him? Answer me!" The tough looked up at him, tossed his hair back and tore open his shirt. "As you wish, we have other witnesses." Kelegar stepped away as Pollux closed on the tough. Jayna turned away and Ciela watched in morbid fascination as the hound closed his jaw with a wet sickening crunch on his chest.
"Master…" As the word left his lips Pollux released him and the Kindred collapsed to the floor, bloodless. His gaping wound was clean and dry.
"Jay, what?" The warrior turned to her friend and shuddered.
"It is a Kindred matter. It does not concern you." Kelegar turned to face Secretia. "We have witnesses to question."
"Hey, excuse me, but I think it does. We're in this up to our eyeballs." The woman in golden armor stepped toward the vampire. "Whether you like it or not we are involved."
"Cie." Mike and Aqua walked in from the back room.
"Aquarius, inform your colleagues that they may go." Kelegar looked into the depths of Secretia's soul and raised a naked brow at what he saw.
"You are dismissing us?" Az stared at him.
"Az, don't do this." Aqua strode over and reached for her. "He's not someone to piss off." She wasn't listening. Az walked up to Kelegar. Without turning his left hand shot out and struck her in the chest, clawed fingers closed on golden armor and the metal sang in protest. Ciela looked down and watched his fist tighten. She could hear his flesh sizzle. He turned slowly to face her as he spoke.
"I do not give a damn about you." A thin wisp of smoke rose from his hand and danced between their faces. "I do not care who you are or who has blessed you with their power. Understand that should you choose to make war with me and mine, it will be your Antietam." He released her armor pushing her back slightly. Secretia grabbed his wounded hand by the wrist and pulled it to her. She bit open the ball of her hand and let her blood flow over his charred palm. "Do I make myself plain?" Azangel watched in horrid fascination as Secretia's blood soaked into the old man's palm, and charred flesh reshaped itself. "Do I?"
"Yes." She looked into his black eyes and although she was not afraid for herself, he had not threatened her, at least not directly. When Kelegar broke eye contact she glanced down at her twisted breastplate, it was healing too. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see Mike, waterlogged beside her.
"There is no reason we cannot pool our resources." Aqua stepped up to defuse the situation. "We are fighting the same battle."
"Perhaps…" Kelegar said as he stared into Secretia's eyes. "Perhaps…"