“You are what you eat.” Those were Thor’s last words to me. I had no idea how literal he was when he uttered them.
I stared into the mirror and flexed my back. Of course nothing happened, but I almost expected wings to sprout from under my skin and spread out like they did when the angels did their thing. At least there was that. I didn’t have to worry about sneezing or farting too big and suddenly turning into a parasail.
Time for a quick inventory. I could travel at the speed of thought. I was allergic to gold. I could still walk in daylight. I was no longer hungry. I no longer needed sleep. I could wear silver as an accessory now.
What else was there?
I walked out to the parking lot and grabbed the front bumper of my truck. Holy shit…I lifted it from the ground as easily as lifting the crate of weapons. I dropped the front end and it bounced before settling.
Okay. So I’m stronger. That might be a good thing.
What else could angels do?
Google is my friend.
Okay. Maybe not. Apparently humans have little to no knowledge of angels other than a few obscure passages in the Bible. This whole concept of angels is esoteric at best. Nowhere does it say, “angels are dicks; steer clear of them.” Maybe I should write a blog.
Then again, maybe I shouldn’t. I mean, think about it. When they ask, “Who are you to say such things? By what authority do you make these statements?” what do I say? Oh, I’m a vampire and I’ve eaten a few angels in my day. They taste like chicken.
I don’t think so. Screw the humans. Let them find out the same way I did. The hard way.
I slipped my long coat on and traveled to Grigori’s grave site. I don’t know why I kept coming back to this place. Maybe I secretly found it peaceful or beautiful. Or maybe I just thought it was far enough out of the way that the odds of being seen were slim.
Time to test what angels were capable of. I tried my hand at throwing a fireball. No such luck. I tried toppling a tree using just my mind. I think the tree thought I had gas from the faces I made. I tried summoning wildlife. It may have worked. I’m pretty sure that squirrel that cursed me wouldn’t have known I was even in the woods if I hadn’t “called” to the wee beasties. Screw the squirrels. They’re just bushy tailed rats anyway.
I sat at the base of a large pine and tried to think. What attributes would I assume an angel had? They had strength. They were jerks; they steal other people’s food. They could appear out of nowhere and do…well, whatever it is angels do. But what else?
Could angels actually fly? I realize they have wings but so does an ostrich. And penguins are birds, but they can’t fly. I stood and looked up at the sky. I stretched my arms and did a few deep knee bends. I looked up, pointed my hand ala Superman and jumped.
Yeah, no. I can’t fly. I must have looked stupid to that squirrel.
I sat back down and assumed the lotus position. Perhaps a bit of soul searching (pardon the pun) could help. I tried to imagine Grigori…and yes, even Orel, though I knew he was only half angel.
Another face kept jumping into my thoughts and I tried to push it aside. Grigori was my subject. I needed to focus. Yet…it was Brock’s face that kept coming to view. Why Brock of all vampires? He was long since dead if rumor is to be believed.
Or was he?
I focused on Brock and could see him lying still in a coffin. Perhaps he truly was…no. He wasn’t ash. If he were dead, he’d be dust. I focused on him again and concentrated. I could see him lying there, his hands crossed over his midsection. He appeared exactly the same as he had when we’d said our farewells. I tried to imagine outside of his coffin and a room came into view.
I could see human guards pacing the area outside of where he slept. Were they protecting him or keeping him prisoner? I couldn’t tell. I could feel myself hover around a guard’s head and at the moment I wished I could see what he saw, know what he knew. I opened my eyes and I was the guard.
Something told me that this wasn’t part of the whole zen thing. This was something entirely different. Was this an angel power? I almost wished I could ask Grigori, but truthfully, I was happy he was gone so I didn’t think too hard about him lest I bring him to me. The fact that he tasted good only added to the joy.
I took control of the guard and turned him around, facing the building. It was a modern building and looked nothing like a prison. There were no bars on the windows or locks on the outside of the doors. I glanced around and looked for a name. An address. Something that would give me an inkling…nothing.
Time to try something new. I delved into the guard’s memories. Lots of nothing helpful is what I found. Apparently this was just a job for him. Show up, look tough and ask no questions. What kind of existence is that? Is nobody curious these days?
I pushed myself out of the guard and found my view of the area fading. I suddenly felt tired and weak. In a flash I was back and staring out through my own eyes. The fatigue was gone but I did feel as though something had drained me.
That squirrel was just outside my reach and chittering at me. Apparently my mere presence in his woods was enough to piss him off. “Beat it.” I kicked at him but he stood his ground. He chittered at me angrily again and in a sudden burst of emotion, I wished him GONE.
I truly didn’t expect what happened. The poor little fuzzy rat simply turned inside out. Violently.
I exploded him, okay? I didn’t mean to. It was like somebody shoved an M80 up his furry little backside and lit it. It was grossly intriguing but it was frightening at the same time. I’m far too unstable to be armed with this power. Unless it only worked on squirrels; in that case I’d be fine. But I could imagine some asshole cutting me off in traffic and splat. The inside of his car needs to be detailed in the worst way. Or god help the next telemarketer that called at the wrong time, or any time.
I needed to get a grip on this, and I knew what I needed to do.
“I TOLD YOU you’d be back.”
“You didn’t say it would be this soon.” I dropped my satchel and eyed my master. “Tell me you can help.”
He shrugged.
“That’s not reassuring.”
He shrugged again. “I’m not a miracle worker. You have to learn to control your power.” He gave me a look I couldn’t read. “Perhaps you weren’t ready to assume such huge responsibilities.”
I held my hands up. “Woah, hold on there a second. I didn’t “assume” any responsibilities. I just–"
“With great power comes great responsibility.” He gave me a sly grin.
“Oh man…” I groaned. “I bet you’ve been waiting this whole time to drop that on me, haven’t you?”
He nodded slightly and gave me a wink. “It’s true though.”
“Yeah sure, Uncle Ben.”
He turned and exited the main foyer and I followed. “So other than cheesy movie quotes, what do you have for me?”
He pulled out the cane and waved it in front of my eyes. “Not this. I don’t want to end up like your little squirrel friend.”
“He wasn’t my friend and…hey, who told you about the…incident?”
He gave me that look. You know the one. The one that says, “Are you really so stupid you have to ask?”
“Let me guess. The same way you knew who I was and what my issues were the first time I showed up here.”
He simply smiled. That was better than “the look.”
“You have bigger problems besides exploding rodents.”
“Tell me about it.”
He nodded and continued walking.
I reached out and took his shoulder. “No, seriously. Tell me about it. What bigger problems do I have?”
He took a deep breath and ushered me into his chamber. Surprisingly, it looked almost identical to the room they gave me the first time I came here. Except there was a small potted plant in the window sill.
“You have taken a power that you are not ready to handle.” He paused and tapped at my chest. “You have no control
.”
“No shit.” I turned away from him, unable to meet his gaze. “You think I like turning woodland critters into pate?”
“More like rodent pudding, but…” he trailed off.
“You’re not helping.” I turned to him and I knew I must have looked a mess. “You’re the master. Help me out here.”
He gave me that look again. “I’m not a master of angelic power. Maybe a priest?”
I shook my head. “I doubt they even believe in angels anymore.”
He sighed heavily and sat upon the floor. “Perhaps if you meditated about it.” I watched him assume the lotus position and close his eyes.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure meditating would help me find inner peace but I need…guidance. I need you to tell me what to do, not consult some inner search engine.”
He continued to sit, his eyes closed.
“Come on, master. I’m serious here.” He continued to say nothing. I stood and watched him for far longer than I intended; good thing I didn’t have the cane.
Finally I capitulated and sat across from him. I assumed the lotus and did my best to focus my mind on the wooden totem I now had memorized.
Chapter 14
I’D LIKE TO say that my mind drifted, that I found myself walking through a garden of blossoming plants, a sweet fragrance wafting across the air. I’d like to say that my master was there with me filling my mind with all sorts of useful knowledge, but I’m sure by now that you’ve figured out it would be bullshit.
Instead I did find a sort of inner peace. I came out of the lotus feeling rested and refreshed. I stared at my hand and flexed my fingers. I hated the idea of getting mad and somebody paying the tab for something they didn’t order.
I stood and found myself alone in the room. Apparently the master decided he had more important things to do.
I glanced about, thinking on where he might be. Of course, he was in his garden. I didn’t even have to think about traveling there. I was simply there and standing behind him.
“It’s about time you showed up.” Without turning he handed me a basket. “Carry these.”
“How’d you know I was here?”
He stood slowly, his joints creaking as he moved. “I smelled you.”
He turned slowly and made his way toward the kitchen. “Come along. We need those herbs.”
I fell into step behind him. “It didn’t work.”
“You are rested, no?”
“I meant that it didn’t give me any insight on how to deal with this.” I watched him carefully take the stone steps down and into the kitchen. Smells of fragrant foods rose to meet me and it wasn’t unpleasant.
“But you are rested, yes?”
“Huh? Of course I’m rested. But I don’t see–"
“Your mind was focused on the wrong things. Now you are rested and your mind is quieted.” He pushed the wooden door open and stood to the side, allowing me to pass.
I trudged into the kitchen and dropped the basket on a counter. “But I still have the same problems.”
He nodded. “This is true. But your mind is clearer; now you can begin to understand and consider what to do with these problems.”
“What to do? I have the power of the gods and–"
He laughed. A deep laughter that caught me off guard.
“What’s so funny?”
“You think you have the power of a god?” He wiped his eyes. I didn’t think it was that funny.
“Well, yeah. I mean I can zap myself wherever I want at the speed of thought. I can bench press a truck. I can–"
“Explode squirrels?” He sat down on the stool and looked up at me. “You do not have the power of the gods. You barely have the power of an angel.” He shrugged. “And a lower angel at that.”
I gave him a confused look. “Let me guess, the higher angels can do more?”
He nodded. “Much more.” He pulled the herbs from the basket and began cutting them up, preparing them for the evening meal. “But the power of a god? I think not.”
I sat across from him and held my head in my hands. “Whatever this is, I don’t want it.” I gave him what must have been a sullen stare. “With power like this, where’s the challenge in life? Where’s the contest?”
“The challenge is in controlling it.” He didn’t look up as he continued to cut.
“To what end? I’ve already burned bridges with my previous employer.”
“Was that a job you wanted to continue?” He looked up from the knife and I couldn’t read his face.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. At least I felt like I had a purpose.”
“A purpose.” He nodded, thinking to himself. “An assassin of your own kind. That is a worthy purpose?”
I shrugged. “It was a reason to get up in the morning.” He didn’t care for my humor.
He turned and pointed the knife at me. “You need to find your own purpose, one that brings meaning to your existence. What are you good at?”
I shrugged, unsure how to respond. “Hunting is all I’ve known.”
“Then hunt.” He didn’t look at me. “Be the best hunter you know how to be.”
“But, you…I thought you disapproved of my being a hunter.”
A slight nod. “And it is not my life.”
I stood slowly. “So, figure it out on my own?”
He glanced my way and gave me a sad look. “Be what you must be. A hammer does not know how to be anything else but a hammer.”
He was right. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I stood slowly, my mind already zeroing in on where I needed to be. “We’ll meet again.”
“I know,” he said, but I was already gone.
I STOOD IN front of the main doors of the council headquarters. The last time I was here, Orel and I created a blood bath. I was actually shocked at how quickly they moved people back into power here.
I glanced about and saw no guards. The sun was just setting so I knew that whoever the council had assigned, they’d just now be stirring.
“No time like the present.”
I marched up the steps and pushed open the double doors. The shocked stares I received were enough to remind me that I was persona non grata here. I held a hand up to the guard in the foyer. “I’m not here for trouble. I just need to speak to the administrator.” I walked past him and turned for the stairs.
He stepped onto the bottom step of the stairs and I spun, ready to attack. He threw his hands up and stepped back a half step. “T-they’re not up there.” His hand pointed to the right and I glanced through the wide archway to the library. “In the study.”
I nodded and walked past him, expecting him to attack at any moment. Luckily for him, he didn’t.
I passed through the archway and turned for the study door. As I reached for the handle, the door opened. A large, dark haired vampire stood in my way. He took one look at me and stepped to the side. “They are waiting for you.”
I think you could have knocked me over with a bulldozer. How the hell did they know I was coming? I stepped into the study and saw two vampires sitting on couches, a third in a wingback chair, his back to me.
One of the vampires stood and beckoned me. “Welcome, Hunter. We were hoping you would accept our invitation.”
“Invitation?” I stepped in carefully, my eyes darting from man to man. “What invitation?”
The vampire who spoke first glanced to the others. “Why, the one we faxed you earlier. Did you not receive it?”
I shrugged. “I’ve been out.”
I watched him take a cautious step backward. “And yet, here you are.”
“Here I am.” I stepped closer and the man in the wingback chair stood. He turned and I nearly froze.
“Brock?”
He gave me a curt smile and held a brandy snifter up in salute. “Welcome old friend.”
“I heard you were dead.”
“Technically, I believe you heard correctly.” He placed the brandy snifter down and approached me
slowly, a strange smile spreading across his features. He reached out and embraced me.
I’ll admit, it was strange. But he seemed to have sincerely missed me. I felt my hands rising and patting him firmly on the back. “How ya been?” It was all I could think to say.
“You have no idea how many times I wanted to come to Boston to see you.”
I know I’m socially awkward; I’m also suspicious of camaraderie. I couldn’t help but give him a strange stare. “Really?” I nodded slightly. “Why?”
“Why?” He chuckled and turned to the other two. “He asks me why after all we went through together.”
I shook my head, confused. “We spent a few weeks together a couple of centuries ago. I didn’t think that bound us forever.”
He laughed. It was forced. I could just tell that he was up to something. He had obviously exaggerated our relationship and now he was playing a little game. But, for what?
I cleared my throat. “So, you invited me here?”
Brock sobered and stiffened somewhat. He reached for his brandy snifter and stepped to the wet bar. He poured another drink. A classic way to kill a little time, trying to think of what to say as the expected dialogue shifted. Or maybe he was just controlling the flow of our visit. I didn’t hear feet hurriedly making their way towards us. I doubted there was a small army coming to punish me for killing one of their other hunters.
Finally he turned but he couldn’t look me in the eye. “Sven,” he said, “there are those of us who would like you to return to our employ.”
One of the other vampires stepped forward, his hand held up as if to stop me. “But not in the same position you held before.”
Brock shook his head. “No. Not a local hunter.” He smiled broadly. “Let’s face it, you’ve been quite…proficient in that position, but, well, you’ve…evolved past the job description. We would like you to come back as a…well, think of it as a regional manager.”
“To the other hunters.” The third vampire added. “You would oversee all of the North American operatives. They would answer to you.”
Hunter II Page 12
