Chapter 22

 

Chen opened the door of the gas station. The lights buzzed quietly as he stepped into the store and checked his cell phone. There was still no signal and he glanced at the others.

“Anything?”

They checked their phones and shook their heads no. As Chen started toward the counter, Mallorie wandered to the back and Paul followed her. A man, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, stood silently behind the counter.

“Good evening.” Chen said politely.

The man nodded as Chen glanced behind him. There was a second man, dressed similarly in jeans and a striped t-shirt, filling the cooler with bottles of soda and Chen nodded to him before turning back to the man behind the counter. He wore a nametag with “Billy” written across it and he studied Chen carefully. An odd shiver went down Chen’s back and he had to stop himself from reaching for the sword hidden beneath his long jacket.

“I’m wondering if I can borrow your phone.” He asked. “We’ve had some car trouble.”

“The phone is for paying customers only.” The man had a thick, German accent and Chen glanced again at the man in the aisle before smiling.

“I would, of course, purchase something.” He placed a candy bar on the counter in front of him. “May I use your phone?”

The man shrugged and handed the cordless phone to Chen without speaking before folding his arms across his chest and leaning against the counter.

Chen held the phone to his ear before placing it back on the counter. “It doesn’t seem to be working.”

The man’s gaze traveled over Chen’s missing hand. “Service goes in and out.”

“Do you have a cell phone that works?”

“Nein.”

“Our little town is a long way from Germany.” Chen suddenly said.

The man shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Chen stared at the man. He returned his stare and Chen cursed loudly and took a step back when something dark and cold flickered in the man’s eyes.

He pulled his sword free as Mallorie screamed a warning.

“Paul! Look out!”

There was a loud crash and gunfire behind him but Chen didn’t turn. The man behind the counter had leaped over it and was stalking toward him, his fangs protruding from between his lips and his nails lengthening into sharp talons.

“Do you believe you can defeat me with only one hand?” The vampire hissed at him.

Adrenaline singing in his veins, Chen took another step back. He bumped into the end rack. It was piled high with cans of beans and they crashed downward, rolling crazily across the floor. The vampire in front of him kicked away a can with an impatient hiss before stalking closer.

“Lower your sword and I will not harm you.” He held his hands up in a pacifying manner. “You have my word.”

There was a scream of pain from Mallorie and Chen’s head swivelled in her direction. He had just enough time to see the second vampire sinking its fangs into Mallorie’s throat before the leech in front of him picked him up and threw him over the counter. He crashed hard into the back wall, his legs knocking the long, narrow cigarette case off the wall with a loud squeal. A grunt of pain escaped him when his stump slammed against a rack of batteries, and he fell to the floor. Packages of batteries rained down around him and as the vampire leaped on to the counter, he realized his sword was gone.

The vampire landed on him with a heavy thud, knocking him flat to the floor, as he caught the gleam of his sword just inches to his right. The vampire wrapped his fingers in Chen’s hair and slammed his head against the tile floor before yanking on it viciously.

“Just a little taste before we take you to the barn, ja?” He drooled happily as he opened his mouth and his fangs lengthened. He bent his head with terrifying speed and squawked loudly when he was met by cold steel.

Chen, panting harshly, twisted his sword and shoved it further into the leech’s open mouth. The tip of the sword burst through the back of the vampire’s skull and it gagged loudly and scrambled to move when Chen sat up. Chen pushed the vampire on to his back and pressed both knees against its sternum.

Moving quickly, he yanked the sword from the vampire’s mouth and sliced it across the leech’s throat. As the sharp blade cut through its flesh like warm butter, the vampire’s eyes widened, his hands drummed helplessly on the floor and blood poured from his gaping mouth. Chen pushed himself back as the vampire’s head and body turned to ash and leaned against the wall. His heart was pounding, his stump was throbbing and his entire body was shaking with adrenaline.

“Paul! Are you alright?”

“Dammit! Yeah, I’m alright. I just got a mouthful of this fucker’s blood and ash.”

Chen took a deep breath at the sound of Mallorie and Paul’s voices. A broken carton of cigarettes was pressed up against his leg and he pulled a package of cigarettes out and awkwardly ripped it open with one hand. He placed a cigarette in his mouth as Mallorie’s voice rose in alarm.

“Chen! Where the hell is Chen?”

“I’m here.” He called. There was the sound of footsteps and then Mallorie and Paul peered over the counter. Paul was drenched in blood and ash, and there was blood trickling down from the holes in Mallorie’s throat.

“Holy shit, master! Are you okay?” Paul, wincing a little, climbed over the counter and set his sword on the floor. Mallorie holstered her gun and followed him. The two of them joined Chen, squeezing onto the floor of the narrow space.

“I’m fine.”

“Fuck, those leeches were strong.” Paul said. “Mallorie’s bullet didn’t do shit, and I was left with no choice but to stab him when he was drinking from her. I thought I was going to fucking skewer her too.”

He glanced at Mallorie’s ripped shirt. “Sorry about that.”

“You didn’t even scratch me.” She fist bumped him before studying the cigarette in Chen’s mouth. “I didn’t know you smoked, Chen.”

“I don’t. Figured I’d give it a try.” He shrugged.

She frowned but Paul reached over Chen’s head and snagged a lighter from the display on the back counter. He shook out his own cigarette and lit it before lighting Chen’s. He inhaled deeply and blew out a perfect smoke ring before tossing Mallorie the cigarette package.

Chen inhaled cautiously and Paul snickered when he coughed loudly. “Finally, something I’m better than the master at.”

Chen grimaced but took another cautious inhale as Mallorie sighed and shook out her own cigarette. “When in fucking Rome, I guess.”

She lit her cigarette and took a puff, coughing a little as her eyes began to water. “We’re all going to die of lung cancer.”

“Dying of lung cancer is the least of your worries, my pretty.” A deep voice spoke above their heads.

The three of them glanced upward and Paul cursed loudly as the four vampires leaned over the counter and smiled at them.

The smallest one stared at the pool of blood and ash. “Where are Marco and Felix?”

“Did you check the bathroom?” Paul asked innocently before taking another puff of his cigarette.

Mallorie laughed and Chen’s mouth twitched as the vampires scowled at them.

“Come with us, if you please.” The smallest one said.

“And if we don’t?” Chen asked.

“Why would you not?” The vampire gave him a quizzical look. “You’re dead if you do not.”

Paul, smoke drifting across his face, stared at Chen. Chen shook his head slightly and Paul’s hand which had been inching toward his sword, stopped.

“Well, when you put it that way.” Paul replied before stubbing his cigarette out in the pool of blood and ash. “We’d be happy to accompany you. Lead the way, bloodsuckers.”

* * *

 

“Guten Abend. My name is Olof.”

The sun had just dipped below the horizon and the vampire smiled at Mannie and the others as he entered the barn. His long dark hair was tied into a neat bun at the back of his head and his bright blue eyes glowed. He was trailed by the other vampires and Mannie counted nine in total as they stood silently in the barn and stared at the prisoners.

“I see you are finally awake.” He glanced at the dark-haired vampire standing behind him. “I was afraid my brother was a little too rough when he threw you into the tree.”

“I have a hard head.” Mannie replied.

“Indeed. Your group is rather strong and clever for humans.” Olof crouched down in front of Mannie and studied him thoughtfully. “Tell me why.”

Mannie shrugged. “Maybe the humans are just weak in Germany.”

Olof laughed. “I think not. In fact, we have discovered that this country is ripe for the taking. Both the humans and the vampires are pathetic, snivelling creatures.”

He glanced briefly at Judd before turning back to Mannie. “When we left Germany, I told my brothers I would find us a new home. One where the women were beautiful,” he smiled at Selena and Stephanie, “and the blood flowed like wine. After many months of searching, we have finally found it. I had no idea what riches there were across the ocean. Now that I have discovered it, we will take what we want. It is our birthright, after all.”

“Bullshit!” Tyrone burst out. “You assholes aren’t any better than the asshole leeches we already have. We kick their asses and we’ll kick yours.”

A fleeting look of annoyance crossed Olof’s face. “The young are so rude now. Do you not agree, my friend?”

“I am not your friend.” Mannie said softly.

Olof shrugged. “Fair enough.”

“Where are our friends?” Mannie asked.

Olof smiled. “I’m afraid your friends are dead. My brothers and I hunted them last evening. I’ll confess, it was the best hunt we’ve had in a while. The young ones were rather cunning and fought bitterly to the very end. So many of the humans we hunt give up too easily. It takes the fun out of it. Isn’t that right, Lars?”

“Ja, Olof.” The vampire answered immediately.

“You still haven’t told me why your group was in the woods attacking the vampires.” Olof said to Mannie.

“We didn’t attack them. We were just having a bush party. They attacked us and we defended ourselves.”

“Indeed. And doing a rather remarkable job at it.” Olof snapped his fingers and one of the vampires, he had short red hair and his face was covered in freckles, crossed to a stall. He opened it and Mannie stared silently at the contents. The stall was filled with purses and backpacks, jackets, shoes, and a few articles of clothing. Suitcases were stacked neatly to one side and in front of it all were their weapons.

“Wooden stakes, guns with bullets filled with ultraviolet light, and,” he paused again and perused Alex’s face carefully, “an actual sword.”

There was silence and Olof sighed softly. “Odd items to bring to a bush party.”

“Are they?” Mannie asked. “We don’t think so.”

Anger flickered across Olof’s face and he reached out lightning quick and slapped Mannie hard across the face. “Listen to me, you ignorant little worm, I have killed more humans over my lifetime than I can remember. I will not hesitate to kill you and your friends if you do not tell me what I want to know. Do you understand?”

Mannie shrugged and Olof snarled at him and grabbed him by the hair. He yanked his head forward and pointed toward the stall. “Do you see all of that? We have been here but a few short months and that stall is nearly filled with the belongings of the people we have killed. Your belongings will join them shortly. Do not doubt that. Refusing to tell me what I want to know will not lengthen your lifespan.”

“Go ahead and do it then, you blood-sucking scumbag.” Mannie spat in his face. “You keep talking about killing me so just do it already. I haven’t got all fucking night!”

Olof’s face reddened with rage and he shoved Mannie back before standing and picking up Alex’s sword from the stall. He held it lightly, studying it in the dim light before walking toward Stephanie.

“I will cut pieces of flesh from this pretty little girl until she’s screaming and begging for mercy. I will not stop until you tell me what I want to know.”

He held the sword against Stephanie’s leg and smiled at Mannie. “I know you’re hiding something. This brown beauty has been bitten before as has that one.” He pointed at Luther. “My brothers and I can smell it on them so we know you are not unfamiliar with our kind. Tell me what I want to know.”

He pressed the tip of his sword into Stephanie’s leg and the young woman groaned hoarsely when blood bloomed through her jeans.

“Don’t you tell him a fucking thing, Mannie!” She suddenly snapped defiantly.

“That’s my girl.” Tyrone said approvingly. Lars slapped him across the head and Tyrone grunted with pain as Olof shook his head.

“Ahh, the bravery of youth. You’re a stupid girl. Brave but stupid.” He raised the sword and held it over Stephanie’s ankle. “This might hurt, my sweet.”

“Wait!” Mannie shouted as Olof brought the sword down in a whistling arc. He stopped it just above Stephanie’s ankle and smiled at Mannie.

“Ja?”

“We hunt vampires, okay? We hunt them and kill them.”

“Remarkable.” Olof grinned at the other vampires. “How many hunters do you have?”

“Just what you see.” Mannie said bitterly. “A few of us were bitten and we decided to do something about it.”

“Where did you learn the technology for the bullets?” The redheaded vampire suddenly asked.

“Good question, Klaus.” Olof said approvingly. “Well?” He stared expectantly at Mannie.

“Those two are fucking geniuses.” Mannie nodded to the twins and Olof rolled his eyes.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Why? Because we’re black? Fuck you, you racist motherfucker.” Luther said with disgust.

Olof ignored him as he stroked Stephanie’s leg with the sword. “Where do you find the money for your hunting trips?”

“What’s it to you?” Luther asked. “You broke or something?”

“Answer the question.” Olof said sharply.

“We got a silent partner. She’s a millionaire and she was more than happy to share the wealth after you assholes turned her parents and they tried to suck her dry.” Tyrone replied.

“Interesting.” Olof replied.

He dropped the sword in the stall and stared silently at the other leeches. “We will not hunt all of them tonight. We were too greedy last night and hunted too many at once.”

There was some low grumbling and Olof held up his hand. “Brothers, you will do as I say.”

The other vampires nodded immediately and Mannie watched in stunned silence when a few of them gave short bows to the vampire leader.

“Tonight, Andreas and Gunther hunt. Choose, brothers.” Olof gestured to the prisoners and the two vampires walked back and forth in front of them for a few minutes.

Gunther pointed to Stephanie and she stared defiantly at him for a moment before bowing her head. Mannie could see tears dripping down her face and he spoke quickly.

“She’s weak. Hunt me, instead.”

Gunther shook his head. “Ich mag wie sie aussieht.”

“Ja, you never enjoy working for your meals.” The one named Klaus spoke in broken and halting English and Gunther glared at him as the other vampires laughed loudly.

“Sei still, Klaus!” Gunther snarled.

“Enough!” Olof said when Klaus snarled back. “Andreas make your choice.”

“The brown woman is mine.” Klaus said quickly when Andreas paused in front of Selena.

Andreas laughed and moved on before stopping in front of Tyrone.

“This one.” Andreas said and Luther gave his twin a sick look of fear.

“It’ll be fine, Luther.” Tyrone said quietly. “I’ll kick his ass.”

“Excellent.” Olof clapped his hands together. “Send the girl out first.”

Lars sliced through the ropes around Stephanie’s wrists with his fingernails and hauled the girl to her feet. He dragged her to the end of the barn and pushed open the small door. Ahead of them was the forest and Lars petted Stephanie’s hair gently.

“You have a half hour before Gunther comes looking for you. Head into the forest, my pet.” He said. “Or toward the road, it matters not. Very few cars travel this way and your hope of finding help before Gunther finds you is slim.”

He smiled at her again. “Might I suggest that you do stick to the woods? More places to hide, right? Perhaps you will get lucky and find a warm, safe hiding spot until the sun rises.”

Stephanie swallowed thickly and stared at the others.

“It’ll be okay, honey.” Selena said softly. “You can do this.”

Stephanie nodded and glanced over at Tyrone when he called her name.

“I’ll find you and we’ll kill them together, alright?”

“Alright.” She said softly. She slipped out the door and into the trees. Lars closed the door and headed toward Tyrone.

“Wait a few minutes, Lars.” Olof said. “No doubt they will search each other out but let’s not make it too easy for them.”

Lars nodded as Olof suddenly frowned. “Where are Otto and Simon?”

“They headed into town. The human has our money for the last batch of cars.”

“And Marco and Felix?”

“The store.” Lars replied.

“Ja, I know. Why are they not back? I told them to close early tonight. Go and fetch them.” Olof said impatiently.

Four of the vampires left the barn and the others waited patiently until Olof nodded to Lars. Lars cut through the ropes and lifted Tyrone to his feet.

Tyrone smiled faintly at Luther. “I’ll be back to save your ass, dickhead.”

Luther, his mouth trembling, nodded. “Be careful, numbnuts.”

“Fuck careful.” Tyrone replied and followed Lars to the door. Without looking at his brother or the others, he left the barn and disappeared into the forest.

Olof smiled at Mannie and the others. “Shall we make a wager on how quickly Gunther and Andreas kill the young ones?”