Exsanguination Read online

  “Finally, know that your vision will make dramatic strides as well as your sense of smell and hearing. With each passing day, you will become physically stronger. You will learn new skills – walking on walls and ceilings, shape changing, and moving with blinding speed.”

  Everyone looked excited at the prospect of newly discovered powers.

  “One final warning. If you kill someone, I will hunt you down and you will wish not only that you had never become a vampire but that you had never been born at all. No deaths and no crime sprees using compulsion. Judicious snacking – no more than two to four ounces per day. Do it slowly to extend the pleasure,” she held up a finger. “Anyone who decides to drink outside of their home or an appropriate club, keep to the shadows – dark, dead-end alleys and such. If I see you in a viral video . . . well, I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

  In the minds of the newly turned, this sank in. The hierarchy was embedded in them at the time of injection with Vanessa’s blood.

  “Lastly, before you leave, please get in line one more time – vampires only. I will take a blood sample from each of you to replenish the supply I’ve used.”

  Once that was accomplished, she spread her arms dramatically. “It is time to go home, my children. At the front door, Nikki will give you my mobile number. If you have an emergency with which I can help, use it. Most importantly, remember that you answer to me.”

  As the last car pulled out through the gates, Vanessa, Phillip, Nikki, Owen, and Joe gathered in the drawing room. Joe was patting his stomach and smiling. Phillip gave him a frown.

  “What’s with you, bud?”

  He chuckled. “You know those five who didn’t donate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Well, let’s just say I helped them out with that,” he grinned.

  Phillip laughed and turned to Vanessa. “What’s the count? How many were turned?”

  “One hundred twenty-six,” she smiled.

  “Hhmmph. Does this mean we’re at war?”

  “Not until the other side realizes it but it’s going to happen. They’re not going to back off and neither am I. I tried to be nice about this whole thing but it didn’t seem to have the desired effect.”

  “You think there’ll be a major confrontation? Violence?”

  Vanessa shook her head. “No, I don’t believe so. I don’t like seeing people die for no good reason – especially innocent people. I hope they realize the futility of the situation and sit down to talk terms and we can reach détente.”

  “I probably won’t get to use my guns, then, will I?” Nikki pouted and frowned.

  “I certainly hope not, little one.”

  Phillip’s mobile rang and he looked at the screen with a groan.

  “Parents.”

  Nikki giggled. “Oh, you’re in for it now, brother.”

  He answered and there was shrieking on the other end. After a few moments, it stopped.

  “It is what it is, mom.”

  Pause.

  “No, I’m not a vampire, mom, I just love one, ok?”

  Pause.

  “She’s fine, mom and, yes, she is one now.”

  The shrieking resumed for a couple of minutes and then ceased. Phillip offered the phone to Nikki.

  “She wants to talk to her vampire daughter,” he grinned and she gave him a dirty look as she took the phone.

  “Yes, mom. It’s true but I’m fine! I’m eating well, getting good day’s sleep, and Owen is here to keep me company. You remember Owen, don’t you?”

  Pause.

  “No, mom, I only drink a little blood every night.”

  Screaming resumed and Nikki disconnected the call. Handing the mobile back to her brother, she shook her head and sighed. “I think our mother is headed for a nervous breakdown.”

  “Well, you can’t really blame her, under the circumstances.”

  “I could have really sent her off the deep end, telling her that I snacked on you once.”

  Vanessa gave her a reproving look. “That would be cruel, Nikki. I don’t like it. She is your mother.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and looked abashed.

  Phillip stood up. “Well, it’s definitely too late to order out for pizza. I say we invade the kitchen and see what might be edible.”

  “I second that,” said Owen. “I’m starved!”

  On the way to the kitchen, Vanessa dialled out on her mobile.

  “I need you to meet us at The Black Death tomorrow night about eleven if you can do that.”

  Pause.

  “I turned a hundred twenty-six tonight from The Broken Fang and I plan on doing the same at all the Goth clubs.”

  Pause.

  “See you then.”

  XVIII

  Over the following two weeks, there were sporadic attempts at arrests but none were successful. What the police had discovered in using their laser thermometers was an enormous increase in the number of vampires. Where previously there might be two or three in any given club at one time, now their numbers had swollen to well over a hundred in each of the clubs. Vanessa hoped that her newly implemented plan would discourage police interference.

  Finally, it seemed the attempted arrests tapered off and then ceased completely but she didn’t know if it was because of the futility of such actions or due to the increased numbers of vampires. She posed the question to the group in the drawing room.

  “What do you think? Which is it?”

  “I dunno,” Phillip responded. “In the past weeks, the number of vampires in London has almost tripled. I’m just surprised that there hasn’t been some sort of incident.”

  “We can all be grateful for that,” Joe chimed in.

  The beep of the intercom at the front gate sounded and Phillip went to the foyer.

  “Yes?”

  “The Commissioner of Police is here to speak with the Lady Vanessa.”

  He pressed the button, opening the gate. A single Mercedes came down the path and stopped at the front doors. Phillip opened the door as two constables stood at either side and a portly man with a blotchy complexion walked in.

  “This way, Commissioner,” he guided the man to the drawing room.

  “Vanessa, darling, this is the Commissioner of Police and he wishes to speak with you.”

  She stood up with a smile and extended her hand.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Commissioner.”

  “It’s good to meet you, Countess.”

  “Please have a seat. Considering the late hour, can I offer you a drink?”

  “Thank you. That would be nice,” she seemed totally calm and at ease and that set him on edge a bit. A drink would be good.

  “Please have a seat. Are you a scotch drinker?” she looked him directly in the eyes.

  He had met one or two women like this. Women who had a powerful presence. They were often arrogant and full of themselves.

  “Yes, I am.”

  She poured two glasses and looked at him. “Neat, I would guess,” she smiled shrewdly as she handed him one of them.

  He nodded and she sat down opposite him.

  “I hope that you’re not disturbed by the fact that you’re in the company of vampires, Commissioner.”

  “Only a little,” he was actually more than a little troubled by the fact.

  “Let me assure you that you are in no danger whatsoever.”

  “Thank you for that,” he sipped his drink.

  “So, I would guess that you’re here for a reason other than being unable to sleep.”

  He nodded. “What is it that you want, Countess?”

  “Want? I don’t take your meaning, Commissioner.”

  The damnable woman was toying with him! His face flushed.

  “Your people. I assume they’re your people. They’re increasing in number extremely quickly. We’ve seen it in the clubs.”

  “It’s the instinct for self-preservation. When your people began attempting the arrest of my people, we anticipated a
n escalation of sorts – possibly a full-blown assault against us. We don’t want conflict, Commissioner. We want to live in peace.”

  What about that fellow, Benedict? That wasn’t exactly peaceful.”

  “As I told one of your underlings – Benedict was an aberration. He’s been dealt with. We police our own, sir.”

  “Where is he?”

  “If you must know, he’s at the bottom of Old Father Thames. He won’t cause any more difficulties.”

  “You murdered him?”

  “I don’t think the term would apply. As a human being, he was already dead and had been so for weeks before that unfortunate incident occurred.”

  He looked confused. “I should arrest you!”

  “We can address that later. Just what is it you’ve come about, Commissioner? Do you want an armistice? Do you want to head off any possible violence between vampires and humans?”

  “Of course I don’t want any violence,” he shook his head quickly. “I’m willing to stop any further attempts at arrests.”

  “Not enough,” she stared at him steadily.

  He looked at her in astonishment. “What else then?”

  “Vampire households will be immune from search and seizure as will vampires themselves. Our feeding should take on the same protections as a woman breastfeeding. Typically it’s something we do in private but it’s always possible that an incident may occur in public. If it’s not specifically flaunted, I want it ignored. No more laser thermometers. Finally, as I said, we police our own and that must be sanctioned.”

  The man looked pained.

  “And if I don’t agree?”

  “We are capable of increasing our numbers exponentially, Commissioner,” she took his glass and refilled it. “In ninety days, we could number in excess of a million,” she handed him his drink.

  “Is that a threat?” he frowned at her.

  “Why would you feel threatened by us?” she smiled. “We only want to live our lives in peace - not subject to harassment. In return for what we ask of you, I will curtail our increase in numbers.”

  He thought for a moment, stood up, and drained his glass. Wiping his hand across his forehead, he sighed. “Agreed.”

  “And I take it you’re not going to try to arrest me?”

  He gave her a dirty look and started to walk toward the foyer.

  “Commissioner?”

  “What?” he said with a sigh as he turned to look at her.

  “Would you like to be a vampire?”

  “A good night to you, Countess, and I’ll show myself out,” he growled as he left the room.

  “Wow,” Nikki whispered as she heard the front doors close.

  Phillip got to his feet. “Come here, Vanessa.”

  She shot him a puzzled look as she walked to him. He grabbed her crotch. Squirming back, she made it obvious she didn’t approve of his action. “What the hell, Phillip!”

  “I’m sorry Vanessa but, after that whole scene, I would have sworn you’d grown an enormous set of bollocks!”

  The other three started laughing and Vanessa grudgingly joined in.

  “Jackass!”

  “Joking aside, you were amazing!”

  She kissed his cheek with a smile.

  Weeks followed without incident and then at ten one evening, the intercom buzzed. Phillip went to the front door and pressed the button.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s Detective Chief Inspector Fallow. I need to speak with the Countess.”

  Phillip pressed the button, opening the gate and then returned to the drawing room.

  “It’s your favourite detective. He wants to talk to you.”

  “Oh God,” she sighed. “What is it now?”

  Phillip returned to the front door to open it.

  “Come on in, detective.”

  “Thank you,” he removed his hat, holding it at his side and looked quite agitated.

  As he entered the drawing room, Vanessa stood.

  “I would have thought we were done with you, detective.”

  “Nothing would please me more, Countess. I’m not here of my own volition but, rather, at the direction of my Commissioner.”

  “An unsightly man. You’ll excuse me if I find that a bit odd,” Vanessa’s brow furrowed. “Well,” she sipped at her wine, “what is it you need from me?”

  “There’s been a murder. A rather brutal one.”

  Vanessa’s face went dark. “You think it was committed by a vampire?”

  He shook his head. “We don’t think so. This was not a clean kill. The body was torn to shreds and partially eaten.”

  “Well, why come to me?”

  “Whatever killed the man walked on two feet. Very large, odd-looking feet.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Can you take me to the body, detective?”

  He nodded and stood up. “My car is outside.”

  “Phillip, you, Owen, and Joe wait here while we check this out. I shouldn’t be too long,” she leaned closer into Phillip and whispered. “Go downstairs and grab rifles. Load the magazines with silver ammunition,” she turned back to Nikki, giving the girl an upward nod of her head. “arm up - silver.”

  Nikki grinned widely and was gone and returned in a few seconds.

  The police inspector was amazed. He’d seen a recording of the Susan Harris show but, in real life, the speed was shocking.

  “Be careful,” Phillip expressed his concern.

  Vanessa sat down in the passenger seat of the Audi while Nikki sat in the back, and it rolled down the drive.

  “I feel just like a policeman now, detective!” she grinned at him.

  “We take murder very seriously, Countess,” he said sourly.

  “Of course you do,” her smile disappeared. “You’ll have to excuse my attitude. I’ve seen so many murders over the years.”

  “I imagine you have.”

  She shot him a querying glance. “You don’t like me, do you, detective?”

  He looked at her, coldly. “No, I don’t.”

  She chuckled. “Your honesty is quite refreshing.”

  The remainder of the drive passed in silence.

  “This is it,” the detective announced and Vanessa looked around. Just like on TV, she thought. There were several police cars, a van, tape all over, and a large tent. They were in a wooded area some seven miles from Smythe house.

  “So, where have you hidden the body, detective?”

  The man growled slightly and gestured toward the tent. As she entered the crime scene, people hushed and watched her. Most recognized the Countess from the interview she had given some days before. Nikki followed her, the long leather greatcoat discretely concealing the two autoloaders strapped to her thighs. As they were about to enter the tent, a constable stopped Vanessa.

  “It’s pretty awful, mum. I don’t know if you want to see it.”

  She smiled at him. “You’re sweet but, if I can’t see it, I can’t tell who or what might have done it.”

  She walked past him and headed to the table, the detective immediately behind her. The body, or what was left of it, was sort of distributed from one end to the other.

  “Well, that’s a bit of a mess, isn’t it?” she remarked, seemingly unaffected by the sight.

  The coroner gave the detective a ‘what the hell?’ look.

  “You said the killer walked on two feet. You have footprints, detective?”

  “I’ll show you,” he responded and began walking out of the tent. He led her to an area about twenty feet away.

  “They’re all over the place here,” he pointed to the ground. Vanessa bent down and sniffed at one of the footprints. Standing back up she looked at the inspector, her eyes narrowed.

  “Don’t go looking for this killer, detective; I will deal with this.”

  “What? What are you talking about? You mean a vampire did this?”

  She shook her head. “A lycan.”

  “A what?”

  “A lycan – a werew
olf, if you will.”

  He started to laugh. “That’s ridiculous! There are no such things””

  She cocked her head as she stared back at him. “I’m deadly serious, detective. You go after this thing and your chances of success are very small. The possibility of your people suffering mass casualties is very high.”

  He stopped laughing. “You’re serious? A werewolf?”

  “A year ago, you didn’t believe in vampires. Now, you don’t believe in lycans.”

  The detective looked troubled. “All we have to do is find him and shoot him!” he said quickly.

  “And when you start putting bullets in him and he keeps on coming, shredding your men? What then?”

  “Oh, my God!” he whispered.

  She sighed. “There’s something else you should know, detective.”

  He looked at her questioningly and shook his head.

  “They tend to travel in packs, much like your generic wolf and now they seem comfortable close to the city. That concerns me. We’re being watched from that stand of trees over there. I can smell them.”

  “How many?”

  “Don’t know. One or two possibly. Can’t tell from my position.”

  Nikki was scanning the woods from a position about fifty feet away, the darkness not impairing her vision. “I’m seeing three, Vanessa.”

  “Will they attack?” the detective seemed alarmed.

  Vanessa frowned. “I think, if they are there, they are assessing the situation but beyond that, I don’t know. I urge you to pack everything up and leave as quickly as you possibly can. Do it casually.”

  “Jesus Christ!” he turned to the men. “Start packing up and do it quietly and quickly.”

  “Detective, they are shape-changers – most of the time they seem to be quite human. When they change, they are big, powerful, and positively vicious.”

  “Is there anything we can do?”

  “Have a lot of silver bullets made.”

  He looked stunned. “The whole world has gone mad!”

  She gazed into the treed area.

  We’ll stay until everyone leaves but you and us. They may not attack while Nikki and I are here.”

  “Why? They’re afraid of you?” he looked sceptically at Vanessa’s small frame.