The Vampire Council: Case File:1

by Steve Cunningham

  Vaelen enters and shuts the door behind him. As he makes his way to Jacqueline’s desk his footsteps echo and bounce off the cold stone walls. ‘Excuse me for the interruption.’ Vaelen bows his head.

  Jacqueline quickly looks up to see Vaelen in this position. ‘Vaelen. There’s no one around. Quit being so formal.’ She looks back down at her papers.

  Vaelen raises his head and looks at Jacqueline deep in work. ‘I know you have a lot on your plate but I was hoping we could discuss the best cause of action to take care of the rogue drug ring operation.’ He suggests in a calm manner.

  ‘I guess I can put this on hold for a moment.’ Jacqueline states as she leans back into her throne and lets out a sigh as she reaches for the lit cigarette and proceeds to take a drag from it. She exhales. ‘I’ve been wanting that ever since I lit it.’

  ‘Must be hard work preparing everything,’ Vaelen said with a hint of compassion in his voice.

  ‘No use sympathising with me Vaelen, just feel lucky that you’re not the one going in front of the high council.’ Jacqueline smirks.

  Vaelen laughs. ‘Yeah. Instead you have me working out in the field getting my hands dirty.’

  Jacqueline inhales more smoke before speaking. ‘Whether it’s out on the field or sat behind a desk. We all get our hands dirty.’ On hearing this Vaelen looks down to the floor.

  ‘I guess you’re right.’ He says now looking back at Jacqueline.

  ‘Right so what is it you wanted to discuss?’ Jacqueline asks.

  ‘Our plan of action for the drug ring operation.’

  ‘Hmmm. Anything you have in mind?’ Jacqueline wants Vaelen to think as her brain has fried.

  ‘I was thinking this would be a good opportunity for the rookies to put their training to the test.’ Vaelen knew this idea was too far-fetched.

  Jacqueline is shocked by this idea. ‘You best be kidding?’

  ‘I’m not Jacqueline. They’ve shown promise recently. Within training, their first mission and the interrogation.’

  Jacqueline slams her fist onto her desk, ‘that interrogation was a shambles. Or did you forget that you were the one who retrieved the information from our prisoner.’

  ‘That may be so. But surely they proved they have what it takes. Have you seen the recent reports I wrote? Vaelen asks desperately trying to convince Jacqueline that this is a good idea.

  ‘I did. You speak very highly of them both in the reports and now here in front of me. You best not be going soft Vaelen. Your job title is to train and observe new recruits. Not treat them like friends and protect them. If they can’t survive on their own then they’re not worthy of joining our organization.’ Jacqueline’s voice was cold and brutal.

  Vaelen steps back in shock. He cannot believe how she is acting. ‘But Jacqueline. In the reports. Their stats are high.’

  ‘Humph. Yes this is true. But least you forget the girl. She hasn’t even changed form yet. What use will she be in a crisis situation?’ Jacqueline asks calming down slightly.

  ‘Yes she hasn’t changed yet. But she shows full honour to the council and strangely her gun and combat skills are unmatched by both Jeff and Will. Give her any weapon and she’ll be fine.’ Vaelen smiles as he believes this may have clinched it for him.

  A pause of silence as Jacqueline thinks over Vaelen’s proposal. Her head in her hands, hunched over her desk, pushing her paperwork with her elbows. ‘Fine. Let them do it.’ She composes herself. Sat upright she moves her papers and folders back into place.

  ‘Shall we say, two days’ time, nineteen hundred hours? That way then your meeting with the council will be out of the way.’ Vaelen proposes.

  ‘Yes. Have them storm the warehouse and find out who’s in charge.’ Jacqueline looks down at her hands placed in her lap. They’re shaking. ‘I’m sorry Vaelen. For snapping like that. It’s just…’

  ‘You’re stressed and over worked preparing for the meeting. I understand.’

  Jacqueline looks toward Vaelen and the smile on his face fills her heart with happiness. She smiles back. ‘Thank you Vaelen. Please come closer.’ Jacqueline pats the arm of her throne indicating for Vaelen to take a seat on the arm rest, he does so. Vaelen looks at the papers spread across the desk.

  ‘So, you think you have everything prepared?’ Asks Vaelen as he picks a sheet from the desk and begins skim reading it.

  Jacqueline quickly snatches the piece of paper from his hand and returns it to the desk. ‘Please don’t muddle any of this up, it’s taken me hours. And to answer your question. Simple answer. No. There’s just not enough evidence to support the idea of treason within our ranks.’ She lowers her head in disappointment with herself.

  ‘The fact Leofric showed up should be evidence enough.’ Vaelen notices Jacqueline’s sunken head and puts his arm around her to comfort her.

  ‘A vampire hunter hunting vampires is nothing out of the ordinary.’ Claims Jacqueline.

  ‘An attack on new recruits, their first day, no more than a mile away from our base is cause for concern. There’s no way Leofric could have found this information on his own. Our security is impenetrable. It has to be someone from the inside.’

  ‘Yes Vaelen we’ve been through this.’

  ‘Should have took care of Leofric when I had the chance.’ He clenches his fist.

  ‘That was an option. But he may be more use to us alive. If an act of treason has taken place and someone is feeding information to vampire hunters, it’s best we capture them to find out who has been leaking the information to them.’

  ‘Yeah. I guess you’re right.’ Vaelen smiles slightly as to the fact he didn’t think of that.

  ‘We just need to hope me and Dirk manage to convince the high council that there is a possibility that treason has occurred.’ States Jacqueline.

  The sound of Dirk’s name sends shivers of hatred through Vaelen’s body. ‘Dirk. Why him? Why couldn’t you work closely with someone else?’ Vaelen jumps from the armrest in anger and moves back in front of the desk facing away from Jacqueline. A frown scrunches his face.

  ‘You know my reasons Vaelen. He works directly for The One. If anyone will be able to convince the rest of the high council it will be him.’ Jacqueline isn’t fazed by Vaelen’s outburst.

  ‘I don’t trust him that’s all. Especially not with something you’re involved in. Not again.’ Memories of the past fill Vaelen’s head. It pains him to think about it.

  Jacqueline looks away from Vaelen and down at her lap. ‘The past is the past Vaelen. I’ve got through it and moved on. Why can’t you?’

  Vaelen turns slowly around to face Jacqueline but before he can answer his phone starts to ring. Jacqueline returns to sorting through the files on her desk as Vaelen retrieves his phone from his jacket’s inner pocket. He checks the caller ID. Rita. He answers. ‘Hello.’

  ‘I have the new information you require sir.’

  ‘Very good. I’m just in a meeting with Jacqueline at the moment. I shall be with you shortly.’

  ‘Shall I stay at the front desk?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Ok sir.’ And with that Vaelen hangs up the phone and returns it to his pocket.

  ‘Look I have to concentrate, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.’ Jacqueline demands without looking away from her desk.

  ‘I have other business to attend to anyway.’ Vaelen retorts sternly. His sternness suddenly breaks when he looks over to Jacqueline and sees her looking at him with worry in her eyes. ‘Jacqueline. It will be ok. If anyone can get to the bottom of this mess. It’s you.’ With these words still resonating in Jacqueline’s ears, Vaelen leaves the office.

  † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †

  Vaelen walks swiftly past the front desk of The Ruby Hotel catching Rita’s attention with a snap of his fingers. Rita jumps as she wasn’t expecting him so soon. She picks up a file from under the desk and proceeds to follow Vaelen into an empty ground floor hotel room. V
aelen enters first and sits at a desk in the corner of the room. He switches the desk lamp on, as he does not wish to open the blinds and let natural light through just in case someone was watching through the window from the outside world. ‘Please. Shut the door behind you.’

  ‘Yes sir.’ Rita shuts the door and walks past the room’s double bed to hand Vaelen the file.

  ‘Thank you.’ Vaelen takes the file and opens it. Contained within are a list of recent location’s Tessa has been spotted. Along with a list of aliases she has been using. Recent connections with people. Suddenly Vaelen is shocked when the name Jeff Kendal jumps out at him on the page. He quickly turns that page over only to see pictures of Jeff with Tessa on a roof top. Oh Jeff. I didn’t want to believe it was true. ‘Is this everything?’ Vaelen asks closing the folder and handing it back to Rita.

  ‘Yes this is the newest information I could get my hands on sir.’ She states bowing her head before a superior ranked vampire.

  ‘You did well Rita. I’m proud of you.’ He smiles at her.

  ‘Thank you so much… Sir’ Rita is overjoyed that a high ranked vampire is proud of something she did. But that joy is not long lived as she realises what she is doing.

  Vaelen stands. ‘Could you do me one more thing Rita?’ He asks.

  ‘Yes sir. Anything.’ She bows her head once more.

  ‘Could you contact Jeff and tell him to meet me on the roof of this hotel at nine o’clock tonight?’

  ‘As you wish sir.’ Her head stays bowed.

  Vaelen walks past Rita and exits the room leaving her alone. The guilt begins to rise within her causing her entire body to quake. The file falls from her hand and crashes with the floor. The papers and pictures contained inside shoot out to different areas around her feet. She tumbles to all fours, falling hard, as tears begin to fall from her eyes to the carpet of the hotel room. Her eyes dart in all directions. Her arms shake under the weight of holding herself up. The guilt has caused her to lose all strength, ‘I’m so sorry Jeff.’ Her voice shakes from behind her upset. I had no choice.

  CHAPTER 19:

  DESTRUCTION OF A LIFE

  Will and Katie lay on Katie’s bed, naked bodies wrapped in twine as they bask in the afterglow of their love making session. The sun begins to set outside her bedroom window illuminating her room with a soft warm orange glow. Katie’s head rested on Will’s chest as she softly runs her hand back and forth across his stomach. Her cheeks still blushed bright red not just from the passionate sex her and Will just had but also from her inner thoughts telling her how happy she is right at this moment. She had not felt passion like this in a long time. This new experience caused her to blush with joy. Will lay with one arm behind his head. With the other hand he gently played with Katie’s hair. He too still red in the cheeks. Their breathing had synchronised. Soft inhales of breath. Katie’s head lightly lifted up and down on Will’s chest as he took each breath filling his lungs with air pushing his chest out. This did not bother Katie. She quite enjoyed it. She had never felt such feelings for someone like this before. These new feelings sent tingles throughout her body which caused her to maintain a constant smile spread across her face. She didn’t care whether it was goofy looking as Will could not see her face from the angle they were lying. She could show whatever emotion she felt and not had to worry about whether Will would judge her for it.

  The silence between them was golden, nothing had to be said. Not any sense of awkwardness could be felt by either Will or Katie. They were both at the very least content with each other’s company. The steady beat of Will’s heart became soothing for Katie, sending her into a complete state of rest, her eyelids began to slowly close. Her smile grew even more as more tingles filled her body as she had never felt comfortable to sleep cuddled with any other guy she had been with in the past. Her eyes shut, the smile remains.

  ‘You awake?’ Will asks softly.

  Katie’s eyes open as she snuggles her face into his chest. ‘Well I am now.’

  He smiles. ‘I’m sorry. Go back to sleep if you want.’

  Katie repositions her head back to the way it was before. ‘It’s ok. I didn’t mean to doze off. Was just really comfortable.’ She wraps her arm across his body and holds him tight.

  ‘I was just thinking about what I said earlier.’ Says Will moving his arms from behind his head to hold Katie too.

  ‘You said a lot earlier, not all of it made sense to a normal person.’ She giggles.

  ‘Oi you.’ He can’t help not being offended and just smiles. ‘The promise I made to you.’

  Katie shuts her eyes and remembers. ‘Oh yes that. It’s ok.’ She fears he is about to take it back, the smile that had dominated her face begins to fade slowly. ‘I understand. It was just a spare of the moment thing.’

  Will grabs hold of Katie’s arm and moves her hair from her face. She takes the hint and repositions her body so she’s practically laying on him to look into his eyes. With one hand he rubs her arm and the other he gently caresses her cheek. Katie feels her cheeks swell with heat as she begins to blush once more.

  ‘No. I meant it.’ Will stares into Katie’s eyes.

  Katie starts to choke up and can hardly speak, ‘really?’ She asks barely.

  ‘Yeah. I may act like an idiot. But something compels me to want to care for you. Do everything in my power to make sure you stay safe.’

  Katie looks down away from his eye line. ‘Don’t feel like you have to just because of what happened with Leofric. I don’t want you to feel obligated to look after a defenceless girl.’

  Will lifts Katie’s chin up for her to look at his face again. He wears a smile. ‘Weak? After seeing you in combat training you could kick my arse even if I was in vampire form.’ Katie lets out a giggle at just the thought of fighting with Will. ‘I don’t feel obligated to do anything for you. I just want to. This shit we’re now involved in against our will. There’s nothing we can do but just get on with it. And I want to make it as comfortable and pain free for you as possible. You’ve been through so much so far in life. Having to always be the one looking after others. Not caring about yourself, or thinking about making yourself happy. We’re now burdened with the curse of living for eternity. I want to make that eternity go smoothly filled with happy memories, and keep you smiling that beautiful smile you have.’ Will proceeds to wipe a single tear falling down Katie’s cheek with his thumb.

  ‘No one’s ever felt like… Or said anything like that to me before.’ Katie’s bottom lip begins to quiver. Her entire body is filled with a happiness she had forgotten existed.

  Will smiles as he looks deeply into her eyes saying whatever comes from his heart. ‘I deeply promise with every fibre of my being that nothing will ever harm you physically or mentally ever again. I want you to be happy from this moment forward.’

  The quivering of her lip stops as her massive smile from earlier returns. ‘Will.’ She says sweetly as she leans in for a kiss.

  Just as their lips are about to connect sealing their new found love for one another, a woman’s scream from the lower floor of the house smashes the happiness that fills Katie’s bedroom. ‘Mum?’ Katie quickly jumps from on top of Will and grabs her dressing gown from the back of her desk chair to cover her naked body. ‘Mum!’ She screams in terror. Will also jumps from the bed and quickly pulls on his skinny jeans from the floor as they both rush to the bedroom door.

  † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †

  As Katie hits the bottom of the stairs she quickly turns to face down the hallway. The sight of what her eyes are gazing upon causes her body to freeze. Her eyes widen as she struggles to make even a morsel part of her body move. Cold. Chills fill her entire body. Will reaches the bottom of the stairs and quickly grabs Katie without even noticing what she is looking at.

  ‘Katie what is it?’ Will says as he shakes her body ever so slightly to snap her out of her comatose state. He notices Katie staring down the hallway and turns h
is head slowly to see what it is that has scared her to near death. As his eyes lock onto what Katie is staring at his arms drop.

  ‘Hello children.’ Leofric speaks chillingly as he holds up Katie’s mother by her neck with one hand, whilst the other hand holds a sworn off shotgun with the barrel pressed up against her nose. As she struggles to look and see her daughter staring at her as tears stream down her cheeks.

  ‘Let her go.’ Will asks calmly but with a hint of anger in his voice.

  ‘I’m so sorry but this is just how it has to be.’ Leofric replies with a grin on his face.

  ‘It’s us you want Leofric. So take us. But let her go. Right now!’ Will shouts the ending of his sentence as the anger grows inside of him.

  ‘Temper temper. Shouting at me won’t make me stop any quicker. What am I saying? Nothing will make me stop. I have my orders.’ Leofric turns his head to look at Beth, staring into her eyes. ‘This would be a tragedy if it were someone more deserving of life. But sadly this isn’t the case.’

  Will clenches his fists. ‘Have you forgot? You’re a vampire hunter, you’re meant to protect the mortals, not kill them!’ Desperately he tries to convince Leofric.

  ‘Oh I’m sorry, yes my job description is to kill vampires. But that’s just not satisfying enough anymore. I like to destroy my prey. And my boss allows me to do this by destroying everything they hold dear to them.’ Leofric replies.

  ‘I’m warning you Leofric. Put her down!’ Will shouts as he slowly hits the breaking point.