Demon Hunters

by JKMelby74

  “You may want to inform him that the last person who handled that pot is now a puss collector on the third level of Hell.” Willie looked at me oddly and then broke into a nervous laugh. His eyes found mine again, and I was sure it was my expression that ended his laughing.

  I returned to my home and tried to relax with a beer. It hadn’t just been Gwen’s departure that troubled me, but also Dontavius’ visit. My mind was tracing past everything that had happened and I was trying to make some kind of sense out of it. Jackal hadn’t been much help and I had no inclination to go to Kennison to see him again. I knew that if there were any answers, I would have to find them myself.

  I had felt compelled earlier that week to do some digging on the new Grand of the Black Flame and I had discovered that Dontavius made a very good living as a developer and all around entrepreneur. The face of Dontavius DeMarco to the outside world was that of the affable billionaire and head of DeMarco Industries, who was generous with his time and money, but was oddly reclusive. That bit probably made him all the more attractive to the media hounds.

  I pulled up to the world headquarters building of DeMarco Industries at around ten or so at night. It was located downtown in a large industrial park, and, as it was the middle of the week, there wasn’t much activity on the streets. I walked up to the entrance and couldn’t help but be a little impressed. For being part of a hidden race of vampires, Dontavius was doing quite well for himself.

  I walked into the building and quickly found the elevators. I pushed the button and as the doors slid open, I could hear the soft music playing within. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the penthouse. The doors closed and the elevator car rose up. As it slowly climbed to the top of the building, my mind drifted to the past week and my little independent investigation. It was all I could do to get Gwen off my mind. I had gone back to my roots and applied my most basic detective skills. My findings yielded a lot of new information that stretched back months ago, but it was all so random and chaotic. There was a picture forming, but nothing definitive. For as much as I discovered, there were so many questions that needed answers. I was hoping Dontavius would be able to help me connect the last few dots.

  The elevator stopped at last and the doors opened and it looked as though I was walking into someone’s home rather than an office. I walked out into a marble foyer and I heard the soft strains of Beethoven just above my head. The walls were adorned with fantastic works of art; some were actually familiar to me. The lighting was minimal, but effective. I could see where I was going.

  I looked around, but saw no sign of life. There were no noises to indicate anyone was home, but I knew that he was there. He had to be. I stepped down into what appeared to be a sunken living room. A fireplace stood to my right, but it was dormant. I progressed further and I saw a gourmet kitchen down a long hallway, but again, no one present. I suddenly heard a hard splash of water. I turned around and saw a large wall of glass ahead. I walked toward it and soon saw a glass door that led out to an exposed rooftop garden. I saw water spraying up into the sky, over the larger plants. I pushed the door open and there he was.

  I saw Dontavius, hose in hand, as he was watering his impressive collection of exotic flora. It was interesting seeing a man such as Dontavius doing something mundane like watering his own plants. I noticed a look of happiness on his face. He was smiling, but it wasn’t like the other times I had seen him smile. The smile he had on had no trace of irony or maliciousness. There was no agenda behind it, but I felt that would change soon enough.

  “Hi.” His head cocked toward me and his smile disappeared behind a look of surprise. He shut off the water and set the hose down.

  “Mr. Corba, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “My fault. I guess I forgot to ring the bell.”

  “What can I do for you tonight? There was no trouble with the check I trust.”

  “No, nothing like that. I just wanted to come by and talk. Sorry to interrupt your gardening.”

  “It’s a helpful way to manage the stress of work.”

  “Of course.”

  “At the risk of sounding rude, I’m a very busy man, Mr. Corba. I don’t really have the luxury of pointless chit chat.”

  “Then I’ll be quick. I’ve been doing some research recently and I’ve found some interesting things. It’s all very abstract to me now. I was just hoping you could help fill in the gaps.”

  “Of course.”

  “First, I talked with Dr. Zucker...”

  “Dr. Zucker? I’m afraid I don’t know who that is.”

  “Of course you do. He’s the one who released Jackal Bledsoe in the first place.”

  “And how should I know this?”

  “Because you’re the one who sent him.” I clasped my hands behind my back to keep them from shaking, but did as best as I could to make it appear as a sign of confidence.

  “I have never met the man.”

  “Like I said, I spoke with Zucker and he says that he doesn’t have any memory of speaking with Jackal or releasing him, yet there’s security camera footage of him visiting Jackal on three separate occasions. The police said that they think he was under some sort of influence, but he tested negative for any drugs.”

  “There you go then.”

  “The police did offer a theory that he may have been hypnotized, and it’s a theory I am inclined to agree with. In fact, after speaking with him I have no doubt that he was hypnotized.”

  “He might very well have been.”

  “No. I mean really hypnotized. Not by some dime store magician who pulls rabbits out of his hat. Deep hypnosis. I’d say on a near psychic level. By someone who could actually reach into his thoughts. Someone like you.”

  “This is starting to sound like an accusation, Mr. Corba.”

  “He claimed he had no memory of what he did, and the day after it was done, he said he had a terrible headache. I know what you are, Donny, and I know how it all works. I’ve had that headache myself a time or two. I know it and you know it. He was hypnotized by a vampire.”

  “Even if he was, what makes you think I was the one?”

  “I also found out that the construction company that found Morgan’s body was owned by a subsidiary company under the DeMarco umbrella.”

  “Perhaps we should continue this in my office,” Dontavius said. His eyes were cool as marbles as he locked onto me. He stepped forward and glided past me like smoke. I followed him in and he led me down a long hallway to a room way in the back. It was a sterile type of office. A lot of metallic gray and very few personal mementoes. Very opposite of the rest of the penthouse, which seemed to be decorated in a way as to make his guests feel at ease. To lower their guard. He sat down at his desk and gave a glare as though I was next on the menu. “You were saying, Mr. Corba?”

  “You were the next one in line for leadership of the Order of the Black Flame, correct?”

  “That’s true.”

  “Is there any other way to become the Grand of those guys? An election or something?”

  ”I’m afraid not. It’s inherited and once you have it, it’s yours until you die.”

  “Interesting. I spoke with some members recently. They told me that you and Tyler rarely saw eye to eye on several issues.”

  “Mr. Thorne and I did butt heads on occasion. That’s not to say I didn’t have the utmost respect for him.”

  “Of course not. Perish the thought. I just find it fascinating that you found Morgan’s body and then arranged the release of a psycho like Jackal, who, incidentally, would be perfect bait for a cult like The Reborn. It seems like someone in your position would know that those two elements would be bound to collide.”

  “I don’t like what this is sounding like.”

  “Well, Donny, this isn’t exactly going to make my highlight reel either.” My blood began to chill. I could sense that my friendly charade was quickly fading, as was any pretense for civility on Dontavius’ part.

&
nbsp; “It would seem you are saying that I had unearthed Morgan’s body and set loose Jackal Bledsoe in hopes that this would eventually lead Tyler into a mortally dangerous situation which would have resulted in his tragic demise.”

  “True. It seems like a gamble, but not for someone who knew Tyler. You knew his moral compass would never allow him to put anyone else in danger. You knew that his sister had the only means to bring Morgan back. You knew all this would happen and to further hedge your bet, you got Jackal in on it.” Dontavius’ lips curled into a smile, but his eyes were beginning to worry me. He was a cool customer, that’s for sure.

  “I have never spoken to Mr. Bledsoe.”

  “You told him to come to me. You told him to offer me freedom from my curse. They say every man has his price and you knew what mine was. You saw it in my mind and that’s exactly what you had Jackal offer me.”

  “How was I to know...”

  “You didn’t!” I burst out. “You just had a very good feeling. It was a risky gambit, so I applaud you for that. Took balls, but it all worked out for you. Jackal murdered your only opposition to the seat of power and in the same move; you remove the threat of Morgan Sanguine.”

  “How could I have known you would best Jackal?”

  “What can I say? I’m that good. You left a lot to chance I admit, but you knew about the dagger and Demonica. You knew my sense of duty would drive me to finish the job. You knew Jackal’s endless hunger for power would lead him to betray the Reborn.” My palms were dripping by then. I could feel my pulse pounding in my throat, and I was sure that Dontavius could sense it as well. He shifted his legs in his seat as he digested the facts and theory I had presented to him.

  “A compelling theory, Mr. Corba. However, nothing that would hold up in any court.” He was right. I had no physical proof and it was all just conjecture. I was sure that I was right, and that was enough for me, but not enough for anyone else.

  “The Enclava.” He froze. His posture shifted and I knew I had caught him off guard.

  “What did you say?”

  “A little tidbit I discovered in my research. An ancient order of vampires who still, to this day, believe they shall take the reins one day and rule the world as the dominant race.”

  “What about them?”

  “You know about it?”

  “As much as anyone else, but they are just a myth.”

  “Coming from you, that doesn’t mean a whole Hell of a lot. It just seems to me that someone who was with The Enclava would be in a prime position as Grand of the Black Flame.” Dontavius settled himself and resumed his usual gracious posture.

  “A prime position to do what exactly?”

  “To take over.” Dontavius just stood there and slowly I saw his mouth crack into a subtle smile.

  “And what makes you think I am with The Enclava? Don’t tell me you have photographs.” He said with a nasty smirk, and that was all I needed to confirm the truth in my own mind.

  “I just know.”

  “Oh, well congratulations. I can’t wait to hear what the rest of the Black Flame has to say when they hear this.”

  “They won’t hear anything. I hate to say it, but you got me. I have no proof. I only have my own gut feeling. I just came here to let you know that I know. I just couldn’t bear to let you go on thinking you were actually getting away with anything. Jackal’s taking the fall and you get your precious seat of power. I just want you to be aware that I’ll be watching you. Don’t think you scare me, either. I’ve tangled with bigger nightmares than you and lived.” Dontavius was eerily silent.

  “The Enclava will have their day,” My heart revved up a few hundred beats per minute. He then got up and walked over to me. He opened his mouth and exposed his fangs to me. They glinted brilliantly in what little light was available. I could feel his power coming over me. It was like an invisible hand wrapping around my body. It felt comforting and alarming all at once. His eyes were empty voids as they found mine. He stepped back. “I will not kill you. I would only have to kill you if I feared you, and as I don’t set fear in you, you do not scare me at all. You are no threat to my people.”

  “Not as long as they play nice.”

  “I don’t envy you, Jake. You stand on the line between the world of the known and normal and this world of shadows and monsters. Between good and evil, not to put too fine a point on it. You exist comfortably playing on both sides, but it is inevitable that one day this arrangement will change. A new order will come.”

  “Sounds like you know something.”

  “Just experience talking. Everything changes. The world is not immune to that law, and I only hope, for your sake, that when it does change and you have chosen who it is you will stand behind, that you’ve chosen wisely. Good evening, Mr. Corba. I trust you can find your way out.” I nodded and headed for the door. I opened it, but before I stepped out, I gave him one last look. He was pouring himself a drink on the other side of the room.

  Chapter 37

  You’re All Right, I’m A Mess

  Weeks had gone by and my world had returned to normal, or as normal as it ever got. We had a few cases pending, which was unique. The workers were nearly done with the repairs to the office. They were so close to completion; Ivar and I were allowed back into the office to conduct our business.

  I walked in on a typical Monday morning. I opened the door and saw Ivar at his desk in one of his trances and the few remaining tools the contractor had left behind stashed in the corner. The smells of cut wood and fresh paint were thick in the air. I went straight for my desk and sat down with my paper. Nothing exciting and our top priority case could only be dealt with after dark, as it seemed a troll had taken up residence under one of the old bridges near Glendale and was overcharging those who crossed.

  “Jake,” Ivar said. I looked over and saw him getting up. “You’re in early.”

  “Am I?” I checked my watch and saw that it was barely turning nine in the morning. “I guess I am. You have a problem with that?”

  “No. Not at all. I just hope it’s not because anything is wrong.” I knew what he was talking about.

  “I’m fine. She’s better off away from all this. I live in the middle of a perpetual storm of chaos and anyone near me gets sucked into it. She’s lucky she got out when she did.”

  “If you say so. I was going to go down to the coffee shop downstairs.”

  “You drink coffee? I thought you kept your body pure.”

  “They serve tea too. You want anything?”

  “Sure. Whatever their blend of the day is.”

  “Okay.” He said and headed out the door. I set the paper down and kind of looked around. Not the same kind of looking around I would do to actually look at things. The kind I did when I wanted to see through things. To figure out what the Hell I was doing with my life. If it was all worth it and I came to the same conclusion I usually did. I didn’t know. I was still stuck with the demon and the world was still going insane by subtle degrees and I seemed to be the only one aware of it. I spun around in my seat and looked out the window. The sky was big and blue with a few light wispy clouds augmenting the landscape. I heard the door open behind me. I turned expecting to see Ivar, but instead it was someone else.

  “Gwen!” She just smiled and stepped forward awkwardly. I got up and hurried over to her. “What are you doing here? I thought you went back to Blue Haven.”

  “I did. I went back and got the estimates from the insurance company and it turned out to be more cost effective to sell the thing than rebuild. So that’s what I did.”

  “You sold your house?”

  “And got a new one. Here.”

  “You moved to Los Angeles?”

  “Yes. Boy, you are a good detective.” She said in a mocking tone, I realized then, I had grown to miss very much.

  “Why?”

  “I never told you what happened, did I?”

  “What happened when?”

  “Back at the orpha
nage.”

  “I was there. I remember quite well. You were killing me as I recall.”

  “And I stopped. Don’t you want to know why?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  “I saw Tyler.”

  “You saw him?”

  “Yes. I don’t know what Jackal did in my head, but I kept seeing that moment when Tyler was killed and as I was watching him die over and over in my brain, he came to me. He cut through Jackal’s spell and spoke to me.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He forgives you. He knows why you did what you did and he doesn’t fault you. He said he knows what it’s like to live under a terrible curse. He’s not so sure he wouldn’t have done the same thing if the roles had been switched.”

  “He said that.”

  “Yes. Some other things too, but basically, he told me that I can’t blame you forever for what happened and I needed to let go of the pain because of....” She turned away quickly.

  “Because of what?” She then looked back to me.

  “Because of how I feel. About you.”

  “And what is it you feel about me?” I felt a smile forming in my heart.

  “You’re a good man and it’s been a long time since I’ve known a good man.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone who makes me want to be a good man. You make me feel like I haven’t felt in ages.”

  “How is that?”

  “Normal. Human. Real. Take your pick,” Gwen smiled. She stepped closer to me. “Why did you leave me? You just ran out the door.”

  “I was scared. I didn’t know how any of this was going to work. At the time, I felt the best thing would be for us to both get back to our lives, but it wasn’t. I was home, but it wasn’t right. Not anymore.”

  “I wanted you to stay. With me. I had no right to ask that of you, but that’s what I wanted. I just don’t know if you can handle it. I don’t know if you’re ready.” I could feel a crack in my own voice as well. Gwen placed her hand on my shoulder.

  “I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be. How about you?”