by Dave Ferraro
Epilogue
“You created this army yourself?” he asked, considering the hundreds of vampires in the mess hall, drinking from cups of blood loudly. “Impressive.”
“Well, I can’t take all of the credit,” Kelly said, shrugging. “Indigo Roma kept them in order, and Scarlet Fever had the initial idea, and made most of them herself.”
“Scarlet Fever,” he sighed and closed his eyes. “Yes, I remember her. She was quite a woman. The whole incident with the mora was regrettable. If she’d been successful, her plans would have moved along much quicker. But in continuing her legacy, you have amassed a formidable army. You have done well.”
“Not good enough. We need many more troops. Five times as many.”
“And you seek me out to aid you in your endeavor.”
Kelly nodded. “You have resources. With Roma gone, I have none. I can’t keep an army fed. I can’t train them. I need support.”
“And if I am found it, I will be tried for treason.”
Kelly smiled and put a hand on his shoulder, leaning into him suggestively. “But you and I both know that our goals are one and the same. Between the two of us, we would be unstoppable.”
He slapped her hand from his shoulder and she flinched, stepping back to a respectful distance. “You are an amateur. If I were sane, I would kill you here and now.” He reveled for a moment in the fear that produced in her eyes. “But…you are useful to me. And not just because of this army.” He cocked his head. “Tell me, how was Shanna Hunt when you saw her?”
Kelly grinned. “Magnificent, my lord. Truly magnificent. I was never more proud than when I saw her standing tall as she faced Roma. And to hear of her successfully defeating Roma in battle…I was glad that she’d beaten my partner, even if it did cause a setback for my own plans. Shanna’s conviction and strength is…exhilarating. And I love her, even if she is a hunter. She was…is a dear friend.”
He watched her for a moment, then nodded. “I know. And it’s through you that I plan to bring her back to me, after all these years. It’s been…a lifetime.” He glanced behind him, at the wall, where a painting hung, looking much like Shanna. “My beautiful Diana will walk this earth again, if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Kelly said, smiling. “To be reunited with Shanna, in whatever form…words can not express how happy it would make me.”
“Please, my dear, we are partners in this. Call me Vlad.”
Kelly nodded. “Of course…Vlad.” She grinned at him, then turned to her army in the mess hall.
Vlad the Impaler watched her for a moment, then followed her gaze.
THE END
To be continued in Hunters of the Dark, book five…
* = Excerpt from the classic poem Goblin Market, from Christina Rossetti
And here’s a look at a brand new novel by Dave Ferraro, Dark Genesis.
