by Claire Marta
Valentino shook his head. “He called me, recognized my potential.”
This villain, who sat in the shadows and pulled the strings of those around him, had sought Eric out? This was a surprise. It was almost flattering in a way. Was he aware now of how he was being hunted? Eric’s search for him was unrelenting. He wouldn’t give up his prey.
More and more, they were seeing Dasyurus’s involvement in criminal activity. The man was rising in power. Yet, no one had seen a glimpse of him. It was intriguing. An adversary Eric was finding himself up against increasingly one way or another. He found this doctor fascinating. An opponent like no other he’d faced before.
“Hmm, the infamous Doctor Dasyurus, I have yet to meet, could not bring the message himself but sent a child instead?” Eric scoffed, not letting any of his thoughts show on his face.
“I'm not a fucking child.” Valentino dropped his hand to slap his chest with pride.” I’m a man and sick of bending over for you. You seem to think you can fuck with me all the time. Well, that’s going to change, tonight.”
Eric’s gaze turned hard and deadly. The boy had never been this cocky before. What exactly had happened, and why did he feel the need to shoot his mouth off, tonight?
Eric didn’t like it. This made for unforeseen complications, which he didn’t need.
“Please do not make the stupid mistake of crossing me.” He spoke slow and threateningly, letting his words sink in. “Your father would not be amused to know you have been giving me everything on his dealings for the last three years, and do not think for a minute I would not hesitate in giving you up. Do you really think he would forgive you?”
Valentino paled. “Screw you. You can’t fuck me up the arse with your threats. You won’t be around anymore to make them, and I can do what the hell I like.”
A muffled sob redirected Eric’s attention. To a human’s ears, the sound would have been too faint to pick up. Being a vampire, however it was more than clear to him.
Eyes narrowing, he zeroed in on the mascara streaked face peering out of the back of the SUV. Tears were rolling down the female’s trembling cheeks. She looked young. Eyes wide with fear, there was a gag in her mouth.
Eric had no doubt in his mind that her hands and feet were also bound.
Valentino’s chest was rising and falling with panic as he noticed what the vampire was staring at. Fear flashed in his eyes. Backing away he let his bodyguards move forwards.
The pounding of five frightened beating hearts filled Eric’s ears. Yet curiously the sixth remained slow and steady. Before he had time to work out who was not afraid, the boy’s words snagged him from his observations.
“Dasyurus wants you to back off. He says if you don’t he’ll make you regret it.”
Eric let a ghost of a smile touch his lips. “The man is a fool, then, if he thinks for one minute that will happen. I will not cease until he his brought to justice.”
“Yeah, well, he thought you might say something along those lines.” Valentino nudged his chin in the direction of his car.
With an ominous click, the driver’s door was thrust open. An immense form emerged. The t-shirt and jeans the male wore could barely contain the muscles that covered every inch of him. Shaggy white hair hung loosely to his shoulders. Skin grey, his rugged features were void of emotions, but the glitter in his odd silvery eyes spoke of someone used to causing pain.
“Ah fuck. They brought a gargoyle to this party?” Conall complained.
Eric was more than familiar with the species. They were exceptionally hard to kill. Even Vampiria - born vampires such as themselves, usually avoided this type of supernatural as they were known for being merciless in battle. How in damnation had the doctor come across one? And why was it working for him? A hired mercenary? It was the only thing that made sense.
“Well, this has certainly made this evening more interesting.” Raoul replied, letting his posture fall into a fighting stance.
“Keep alert,” was Eric’s only response. It was going to take skill to defeat this enemy. The humans, though, would be of little consequence.
“What’s the matter vamps? Does Tomb make you uneasy?” Valentino taunted from beside the SUV where he retreated.
The bodyguards pulled their guns. Expressions becoming dangerous, they switched from guard dogs to paid killers.
Eric could smell their growing fear. It seemed they were nervous of the newcomer. A fact that did not go unnoticed.
Raising a hand, Raoul’s power of telekinesis rose like a sultry summer breeze. With just a thought, he immobilized them like statues.
Eric could see their eyes fill with confusion and dread. They had no control over their bodies, while the dark-skinned vampire had them in his sights.
With a growl, the gargoyle lumbered forwards. The light of battle was shining in his eyes. It was more than ready for a fight. Eric knew with its incredible strength it was more than capable of ripping them from limb to limb.
Letting his own powers rise, Eric felt its icy sting as it spread from deep within his core. It wasn’t as strong as in winter. The hotter months subdued its potency, but it didn’t stop him from being any less lethal.
Swirling outwards, he sent a frozen blast towards his foe. Howling outwards like a frigid wind, the chill engulfed Tomb, tousling his mane of ragged hair. It was enough to make a man’s blood run cold.
Icy crystals danced across the gargoyles greyish skin decorating it with flecks of glittering white. Spreading across his face, it travelled quickly down towards his chest.
Laughter rumbled from the creature. Gaze locked on his targets, he looked unfazed. A smug grin curved his mouth.
Eric felt a moment of trepidation. Eyes widening, he was quick to realise his powers had no effect. This was not good. It was something that had never happened before.
“Shall we play a game?” Tomb’s words came out in an animalistic grunt. “Let’s see which one of you I can crush the life out of first.”
Eric dodged agilely backwards, missing the swing of its chunky muscular arm. It was fast, but he was faster.
With ease, he pulled a blade from the sheath he hid within his jacket. Even without his power, he was just as deadly. Eric knew many forms of combat. It was what he worked for. Lived for. Breathed for.
Its weight was comfortable in his hand. The metal of the blade glinted in the light as he held it up.
Watching the action with his silver glare, his adversary’s grin grew wider. He seemed please.
“Tomb, here, is going to end you. I get rid of you, and the doctor gets rid of my father,” Valentino crowed arrogantly from beside the car. “Once I’m head of the family, everyone will be following my god damn orders.”
“Do you really think you have the balls to run your family business, Valentino?” Eric kept his tone taunting. Attention on the Gargoyle, he never took his gaze from the hulking male. “I doubt you will last five minutes.”
Tomb lurched forwards. Leaping back, Eric slashed his blade across the brute’s torso. The action sliced open his shirt, but no blood welled up.
It seemed the rumours that Gargoyle skin was indeed thick as stone were true. Eric hid his dismay. This creature was problematic.
Valentino hissed through his teeth. “Don’t just stand there like fucking idiots, kill them.” Taking a step towards his men, he gestured angrily with his hands.
“We….can’t move….” The nearest one spluttered barely able to make his lips work.
The girl being held captive in the back of the car abruptly lunged for the doorway. Catching the movement, Valentino grabbed a hold of her before she could escape. Shaking in terror, she tried to fight.
“Get down, you stupid little slut.” Raising a hand, he slapped her across the face. Her cry of pain was muffled by the gag. Jerking at the blow, she fell back into the car.
The gargoyle hurled himself towards Raoul, using the distraction to his advantage. Ploughing into him like a raging rhino, the blow sent th
e vampire sideways. Raoul gave an oomph.
He hit the garage wall with a crack. The impact left him stunned as his influence over the humans dropped away.
Tomb grunted in amusement. “You shouldn’t let pretty faces distract you.”
Regaining use of their bodies, Valentino's men wasted no more time. They opened fire. A hail of bullets went flying.
Dodging, Eric used his supernatural speed to reach his friend’s side. It was a blur of movement. One the humans could not keep up with. Taking hold of Raoul’s shoulder, he helped him up.
As one of the stray bullets hit the mocha skinned vampire, he cried out in pain. Staggering, he clutched at his shoulder. Expression screwing up in agony, he clawed frantically at the wound.
Eric stared at him in shock. Silver. They were using silver ammunition. He could smell it now. Yet before, it had been undetectable. Things had suddenly become a lot more fatal.
Conall leapt into action. Grabbing Raoul by his other arm, he dragged him behind their Mercedes. Eric was quick to follow. Running fast, he skidded gracefully over the bonnet and down beside them.
The sound of gunfire echoed around the car park. Luckily for them, the Mercedes was bullet proof. It had been specially designed for just such occasions.
Raoul was hunched over, one hand pressed tightly to his injury. Head bowed, he was struggling to contain his agony.
“Let me see.” Eric eased off his companion’s suit jacket.
Raoul’s hand closed firmly over his. “No, we must help the female,” he insisted, voice shaky.
“You know as well as I that if the bullet remains where it is the silver will poison your bloodstream. It needs to be removed.” Eric persisted with an air of impatience. They couldn’t afford to be down one member of their team. Not with the stakes so high.
“Aye and you better make it quick,” Conall chipped in as he pulled out his gun. Peering over the top of the car, he began to fire.
Eric ripped open Raoul’s shirt. Blood was flowing freely from the hole. It would continue to bleed out if not dealt with properly. Silver was deadly to their kind. Using the tip of his blade, he gouged it into the bleeding wound. He had no need to sterilize the knife; they never got infections. Once the toxic metal was out, then, his friend’s body would merely heal the damage done.
Gritting his teeth, Raoul was staring at a spot on the wall over Eric’s shoulder. As quickly as he could, Eric dug for the slug. He felt his friend jerk.
Eric was being far from gentle, but they had little time. The quicker it was out, the faster they could get back into the fight. Fingers bloody, he continued to work. It was deep. But he was used to such complications.
“I have it,” he announced as he pulled the object from the bloodied hole at last. The burn of the metal ate into his fingertips before he discarded it on the floor. Luckily, it hadn’t fragmented on impact.
Raoul released a breath as the damage began to heal. “Thank you, Eric.”
A faint smile curved Eric’s lips. “Be more careful, Raoul. I have no wish to dig out any more this evening.”
Conall hunched down beside them. “We need a plan.” Darting up again, he released another round of bullets. “I haven’t taken any of them out, yet, because it bought us some time.”
“That Gargoyle is our biggest problem. Our powers do not work on him,” Raoul grumbled as he tugged on his suit jacket. “I very much doubt your weapon will hurt him either.”
“Yours don’t, but I think mine will,” Conall divulged. Crouching again, he clicked fresh ammo into his gun.
“What are you suggesting?” Eric asked as he chanced a glance around the car.
The humans were reluctant to venture any closer. Eric could see that from their body language. They were smart. Even trained killers knew they were no match for three vampires. The Gargoyle was another matter. Tomb had his arms crossed over his immense chest and seemed to be in no hurry to attack. It looked like he was waiting for their ammo to run out.
Conall’s gaze travelled to the concrete wall. “I can teleport him somewhere he won’t be able to escape from so easily. From experience, I know it’s doable with his breed.”
“If you miscalculate, you will both end up inside it,” Raoul pointed out as he regarded his friend with worry.
“Aye, but it’s our only chance.”
Reaching out, Eric clasped the red-haired vampire’s muscled bicep. “Be careful, Conall.”
The Irish vampire flashed them a mischievous grin. “It sounds like you almost care, Eric.”
“We shall deal with the humans,” Eric told him as he let his hold drop away. He did indeed care for his friend, but it was something he wasn’t used to showing. They had been comrades so long. Family. To lose one of them now was something he didn’t want to contemplate.
The eerie touch of Conall’s ability rippled over them as he vanished before their eyes. A moment later, he reappeared behind their foe.
Vaulting onto Tomb’s back, he wrapped his arms around the thick muscled neck. Using his legs, he hooked them, with difficulty, around his enemy’s brawny waist.
The gargoyle roared in fury. Tossing from side to side like an angry bull, he couldn’t dislodge him. Chest heaving, Tomb began to grunt and sweat. Reaching over his shoulder with a big meaty hand, he snagged a fistful of the Irish vampire’s red hair.
Conall release a string of oaths, but even as his head was yanked forward, he continued to hold on tightly.
“Filthy pest,” Tomb bellowed as his anger grew.
His heart rate increased. Eric knew it wasn’t with fear but with the change to his natural form.
Grinding his teeth, they began to lengthen as the Gargoyle bared them. Face contorting in what had to be a painful transformation, his skin darkened. Among the mess of wild white hair, his ears became sharp and pointed. Flexing his arms, the ropey muscles swelled bigger as blood diverted for what was to come.
Raoul made a small sound of distress beside Eric behind the car. He knew his friend was concerned for Conall’s welfare, just as he was. They both comprehended that this could all go terribly wrong.
The humans looked petrified. Eyes bulging, they staggered back, skin pasty white as the colour drained from their cheeks in horror. Tomb leered at them in sick pleasure. From his expression, their fear was giving him a heady buzz.
Only partially transformed, Eric knew once he fully metamorphosed he would become near impossible to destroy. An unstoppable killing machine. Conall must have had the same thought. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his strength.
The creeping touch of his powers shadowed the air in a grave like calm. A moment later, they were gone.
Not wasting the opportunity, Eric moved in a blur. Before the bodyguards even had time to blink, he dispatched two with broken necks.
Raoul let the corpse of the third man crumple to the floor. Eyes glassy, the dead male’s blood spilled in a warm, wet puddle of red over the concrete floor.
“FUCK!” Valentino shrieked. Jumping into the driver’s seat, he slammed the door shut. The engine roared to life. Jolting forwards, the car sped away.
“Car now,” Eric roared. He wasn’t about to let the boy escape. Not with the female he had hostage. Jogging to the Mercedes, he slid into the driver’s seat.
He had no idea if Conall had survived what he had planned. All he could do was pray to the gods that he was safe. They had no time to wait.
Raoul hurried into the back as Eric turned the key. Not wasting any time, Eric set the vehicle in motion. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Conall suddenly reappear. With a shout, the Irishman threw himself towards them.
Then, a barrage of swear words followed as he managed to get half of his body in through the open back window of the moving car.
Eric stamped his foot on the accelerator. The vehicle went speeding through the garage, bouncing as it hit a few bumps. Swivelling the wheel, the car skidded with a screech of tires then swerved perilously onto the street.
“At least let me get my legs in the bloody car”–Conall snapped, dragging them inside– “it would be the decent thing to do.” Dust scattered into the air from the thin layer that covered his suit.
Raoul chuckled as he helped him. “They would not be out of action for long if Eric had taken them off accidentally.”
“Aye, he’s done that once before, in the past. It ain’t happening again,” Conall complained in response.
“The gargoyle?” Eric enquired calmly, not taking his eyes from the road.
“I left him trapped between the walls, but that thing is unbelievably resilient. I don’t know if it killed him or not.”
That was a problem they couldn’t deal with now. Having it out of action would just have to do.
Car horns blared as Eric wove the car, at a high speed, in and out along the traffic. He could see Valentino not far ahead of them. Losing him was not an option. An innocent life was at stake.
“So, when are you going after Jasmine?” Conall’s question broke through his concentration.
“You want to talk about this, again, now?” Glancing in the rear-view mirror, he flashed his friends an incredulous look. They were in the middle of a car chase. The life of an innocent hung by a thread, and they wanted to bring up his personal life.
“Eric, you just cannot keep ignoring it. You’re miserable without her.” Raoul’s expression was serious.
Eric’s lips tightened. They were correct. He was. Nothing in his life pleased him anymore. His mind was always on the girl and what she was doing.
“Raoul’s right. You have to win the lass’s heart. It’s going to be a very lonely eternity if you don’t at least try. The ‘what ifs’ would drive you mad. At least you could live out her life together.”
Eric’s gaze flicked back up to the mirror. He caught the look of longing and regret on Conall’s face. Although they’d been brothers in arms for a long time, he didn’t know much about the other vampiria’s past. It seemed he lost someone he loved. Something that still pained him, though, he hid it well. Was this the reason he was always breaking hearts? Moving from one woman to the next.
“Just turn her. Then, you have her forever,” Raoul spoke as he kept his attention on the road ahead, leaning forward between the seats.
