Lily huddled in the farthest corner of the small room she was in. She tried
desperately to calm her breathing and make no noise.
"Where are you pretty one?" Marko's voice was distorted. The sound echoed through the cavern, making it impossible for her place where he was. "Come out, come out, where ever you are."
Silently, she got to her feet and made her way to the passageway at the back of the room. She held her breath as she tiptoed across the room. A hand reached out and grabbed her around the neck. Lily screamed, striking out.
Marko let go as she scraped her nails across his face. She ran past him, heading back toward the main room and he cursed. "Scream all you want, pretty one. There's no one else here who's going to hear you." He gave chase, catching up with her two chambers from where they were. He grabbed her arm and threw her against the wall. Her head hit the wall with a thud and she sank to the ground. Marko crouched in front of her, taking her face in his hand. She gazed up at him, dazed. "I just wanna see if you taste as good as your mother did." His fangs extended and she screamed again.
His fangs sank into her throat. The pain was beyond anything Lily had ever known, like her soul was being ripped out of her.
David and Dwayne heard the scream as they landed in the cave. Paul was unconscious on the ground. David knelt down next to Paul and Dwayne headed in the direction of the scream. He found Lily and Marko in one of the dark passages of the cave. He grabbed Marko and pulled him off of Lily, throwing him at the wall.
David appeared as Marko was flying through the air. Marko hit the wall and fell to the ground unconscious. He saw Dwayne holding Lily, a vicious bite wound in her neck.
A dark cloud started to rise from Marko's body. The inky blackness seemed to hesitate for a moment before diving at Dwayne and Lily. Instead of going for Dwayne, Valdeos plummeted into Lily. The young woman's body convulsed as the blackness disappeared into her. After a moment, the cave was quiet again, Lily unconscious in Dwayne's arms.
"Lily?" He set her on the ground and touched her face. Lily's eyes snapped open and the two vampires jumped back with a gasp. Her eyes were completely black, as if her pupils had expanded to cover her whole eye.
"Well, isn't this interesting." She said in a voice not her own. It was deeper, harsh and eerie.
"Who are you?" David asked from where he was helping Marko to his feet.
Lily turned her gaze upon him, as if noticing him for the first time. "I am your death." With that she disappeared, a rushing sound the only signs she'd been there.
"Jesus, we have to find her before that thing makes Lily kill." Marko looked at David who nodded.
"She'll go to the boardwalk. Get Paul and go after her. Bring her to Max's when you find her." David instructed.
"Where're you going?" Dwayne asked.
"The house."
Dwayne, Marko and Paul scoured the boardwalk for Lily. They disturbed several muggers in their search of the dark allies but didn't see her.
"We're never going to find her." Marko complained. At the same moment, they heard a scream, faint under the noise of the boardwalk. The Boys took to the air following the screams.
They landed in a darkened alley a little way away from the lights of the boardwalk. Two young women were huddled against the wall. Lily was stalking the girls, her eyes red, fangs extended.
"Lily!" Paul grabbed her arm. She shook him off, throwing him across the alley. The two young women took the opportunity and ran away.
"You cost me my dinner." She growled, facing the other two vampires.
"Sorry princess but David wants to see you." Dwayne spread his hands in apology.
"He's in no position to demand anything from me." Lily ran her hands over her body, making a noise of contentment. "Besides, I'm beginning to like this body. Not quite ready to give it up."
Paul slowly got to his feet and crept up behind her, while Lily was watching Marko and Dwayne. She spun around, baring fangs.
"Do you really think you're strong enough to sneak up on me boy?"
Paul shook his head. "Don't have to be." He said and raised a piece of 2x4, swinging it around to hit Lily across the head hard. There was a sickening crack and Lily crumpled to the ground.
"Valdeos is in Lily." David said, bursting into Max's study. Max was flipping through a book on the desk in front of him.
He looked up alarmed. "Where is she?"
"I sent the Boys to the boardwalk to find her. They'll bring her here."
Max stood up. He motioned for David to follow him across the hall. He opened the closet and reached inside. Max handed David a coil of silk rope. "We'll need that to tie him up. The sun rises on the porch side of the house. We can tie her to one of the posts."
David looked at the rope in his hands. "Is this going to hold her?"
"I hope so."
"David! Max!" Shouts from outside had both men down the stairs quickly.
Dwayne was carrying Lily's limp body, Paul and Marko walking behind him. "We found her scaring some poor girls near the boardwalk. Paul knocked her out with a 2x4."
"We'll tie her to one of the posts. The sun rises over there so this should be the best place." Max waved at one of the porch posts. "He didn't leave her body when she was knocked out?" He asked as they tied Lily to a post on the sunrise facing front porch. David tied her hands behind her back so she wouldn't be able to get free.
"This isn't going to hurt her, is it?" Marko asked Max.
"It's the only way." He brushed his hand over her forehead. "Valdeos wants her dead and he won't stop until she is. Then he'll come after you boys. The only way to stop him is to kill him."
"We'll take watches until sunrise." David told the other Boys. "Keep her unconscious."
Dwayne spoke up. "I'll take first watch."
His watch was almost over when Lily began to stir. Dwayne moved closer, still keeping a safe distance from the girl and the thing inside her.
With a groan, Lily raised her head. "Dwayne? What's going on?" She struggled against the bonds that held her to the post.
"I'm sorry Lil. It's the only way to destroy what's inside you."
She was quiet for a moment before he heard a low sound. Lily began to shake as a demonic laughter spilled out of her throat. "You think you're strong enough to destroy me?"
Dwayne cocked his head to the side. She snarled and tried to jump at him. He hit her and she went still against the post.
Paul stepped out of the house. "She wake up?"
"Yeah. I knocked her out again." Dwayne leaned up against one of the other posts.
"Max is really worried about her." Paul checked Lily's ropes. They were beginning to chafe her wrists, the bare skin red and raw. "Man, that's gonna hurt."
Dwayne looked. "Gotta be tight so she doesn't get away."
David took the final watch. He sat on the porch steps next to her unconscious body, waiting for the sun to rise. The other Boys were sprawled around the living room, trying to sleep. They were going to have a long day ahead of them. He watched as the sky began to gradually lighten, waiting until the last minute to go inside.
Marko looked up from his spot on the couch. "Is it time?"
"Soon." David drew the curtains so no sun would get inside. The other Boys got to their feet, both the impending sunrise and what was going to happen to Lily making them anxious.
Max appeared in the doorway of the living room. "Sun's coming up. It should force Valdeos out of Lily's body. Once the sun touches him, it'll be like the sun hitting any of us."
As the sun came over the horizon, Lily woke up. She looked in panic at the rising sun and tried valiantly to free herself. She screeched and thrashed against her bonds.
"David, please! Help me!" The cry came in Lily's own voice. David turned away from the window, wanting desperately to help her.
The screeching continued. Lily's body screamed and convulsed as Valdeos clung frenziedly to her, not wanting to let go. With a final scream, Valdeos was forced from Lily's body, rising up into the growing sunlight. Lily slumped forward against the ropes, unconscious. The shadow vampire screeched, smoke swirling around it.
Its voice was distorted as it screamed. "Damn you Maximilian." The sun emerged fully over the horizon and Valdeos exploded.
Max carefully peered out the window. "He's gone."
"How's Lily?" David asked.
"She's unconscious." He leaned against the wall, his eyes glazed over. "We should try and get some sleep."
"Go ahead Max. We'll stay down here." Paul said softly. They were all struggling to stay awake. Max nodded and headed up the stairs.
David looked at the other vampires. "As soon as the sun moves enough, we'll go out and get her."
Dwayne touched his friend on the shoulder. "Max's right, we need sleep."
"I don't want to leave her out there any longer than necessary."
"I know. We'll take turns. Stay up a few hours and then wake the next." He gently pushed David down onto the couch.
Marko spoke up. "I got a few hours sleep last night. I'll stay up."
"Are you sure?" Dwayne asked.
"Yeah. Its no problem."
They nodded their thanks and settled into the couch and chairs. Marko went into the kitchen to look for something to drink.
Dwayne stopped and looked out the window. Lily's body was bathed in shadows. He quickly woke up the others. David told Paul to go turn on the shower in Lily's bathroom.
David and Dwayne rushed outside and untied her. Ignoring the smoke rising from his shoulders David scooped her up and carried her inside. They went straight up the stairs to her bedroom. Lily's normally pale skin was bright red, sun burnt. He carried her directly into the shower, cooling her burnt skin. She was still unconscious so he held her upright under the spray of water, undressing her to help cool her down.
They stayed in the water until she began to shiver. David handed her out to Dwayne and Marko who were standing by with towels. They began to dry her off, stilling when she groaned in pain.
"Gently boys." David admonished.
Paul held a bottle of burn gel, waiting for them to finish drying her off. Carefully, he smoothed the gel over her reddened skin and bandaged her wrists, where the silk cord had cut into them. David slipped a light cotton nightgown over her head and Marko wrapped her in a clean sheet. They tucked her into bed with plenty of blankets to prevent shock and settled in to wait.
Max appeared just after sundown. He sat down on the edge of Lily's bed and brushed her hair back from her forehead. She made a noise and shifted but didn't wake up.
"Has she woken up at all?" He asked quietly. David shook his head, his gaze never leaving Lily's face. Max sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I've got to go into the store. Just for a couple of hours. Will you call me when she wakes up?"
Paul looked up at the older vampire. "She's going to get better, right?"
"I hope so Paul."
Lily hurt. Her arms, her neck and her face felt like they were on fire. And she was cold. Her shivering made the blankets move over her burnt skin and she moaned.
"David, I think she's waking up." Dwayne's voice broke through the haze of pain and she opened her eyes. Her eyes met his warm brown ones and he smiled. "Hi princess."
"Did we get him?" She croaked.
He laughed. "We did. Though you gave us quite a scare."
David appeared at her bedside, his cerulean eyes showing uncharacteristic concern. "Hi Lily. How do you feel?"
"I hurt."
The Boys laughed softly. Paul passed David a glass of water. Gently, he helped Lily sit up so she could drink the water. Dwayne propped up a bunch of pillows behind her so she could sit up. She shivered as her shoulders were exposed. David wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"You'll be cold until the sunburn heals. Your body's trying to get rid of the excess heat." He explained.
"I called Max." Marko appeared in her doorway. "He'll be home in a little while."
"I want to go downstairs." She pushed back her blankets and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
"Whoa, hold on princess." David stopped her from trying to stand up. "Let us help you." He picked her up easily, her arms around his neck. Dwayne grabbed some blankets and followed David down the stairs.
"Where do you want to go?" David asked softly.
"The swing on the porch." He carried her out to the porch and carefully set her down on the swing. Dwayne arranged the blankets around her so she wasn't cold and sat down next to her.
"Look at the moon." She said softly. It was a blue moon, full and shining.
"Pretty." Dwayne pushed the swing with his foot, sending the swing rocking back and forth gently. The other Boys came out and arranged themselves around the porch.
Max pulled his car into the garage and headed for the house. He stopped when he saw the Lost Boys and Lily sprawled around the porch.
"Hello, Boys." He walked up the steps, Thorn by his side. Thorn growled at them. Lily looked at the dog. Thorn padded over and lay down at her feet, his head on his paws.
"Well, he's never done that before." She said.
"Maybe Thorn's decided he likes you." Max sat down in the seat Dwayne had vacated.
Lily laughed. "I doubt it. He's never liked me."
"Hey, Max?" Marko spoke up. Max turned his head to look at the small vampire. "You don't have any other enemies we need to know about do you?"
"None that I can think of Marko."
"Good." Lily leaned against her father. "I don't think I can handle anymore people using my body as a parking spot."
Max chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders. He looked around at the Boys sitting on the porch and smiled. His family was safe.
"Where are you pretty one?" Marko's voice was distorted. The sound echoed through the cavern, making it impossible for her place where he was. "Come out, come out, where ever you are."
Silently, she got to her feet and made her way to the passageway at the back of the room. She held her breath as she tiptoed across the room. A hand reached out and grabbed her around the neck. Lily screamed, striking out.
Marko let go as she scraped her nails across his face. She ran past him, heading back toward the main room and he cursed. "Scream all you want, pretty one. There's no one else here who's going to hear you." He gave chase, catching up with her two chambers from where they were. He grabbed her arm and threw her against the wall. Her head hit the wall with a thud and she sank to the ground. Marko crouched in front of her, taking her face in his hand. She gazed up at him, dazed. "I just wanna see if you taste as good as your mother did." His fangs extended and she screamed again.
His fangs sank into her throat. The pain was beyond anything Lily had ever known, like her soul was being ripped out of her.
David and Dwayne heard the scream as they landed in the cave. Paul was unconscious on the ground. David knelt down next to Paul and Dwayne headed in the direction of the scream. He found Lily and Marko in one of the dark passages of the cave. He grabbed Marko and pulled him off of Lily, throwing him at the wall.
David appeared as Marko was flying through the air. Marko hit the wall and fell to the ground unconscious. He saw Dwayne holding Lily, a vicious bite wound in her neck.
A dark cloud started to rise from Marko's body. The inky blackness seemed to hesitate for a moment before diving at Dwayne and Lily. Instead of going for Dwayne, Valdeos plummeted into Lily. The young woman's body convulsed as the blackness disappeared into her. After a moment, the cave was quiet again, Lily unconscious in Dwayne's arms.
"Lily?" He set her on the ground and touched her face. Lily's eyes snapped open and the two vampires jumped back with a gasp. Her eyes were completely black, as if her pupils had expanded to cover her whole eye.
"Well, isn't this interesting." She said in a voice not her own. It was deeper, harsh and eerie.
"Who are you?" David asked from where he was helping Marko to his feet.
Lily turned her gaze upon him, as if noticing him for the first time. "I am your death." With that she disappeared, a rushing sound the only signs she'd been there.
"Jesus, we have to find her before that thing makes Lily kill." Marko looked at David who nodded.
"She'll go to the boardwalk. Get Paul and go after her. Bring her to Max's when you find her." David instructed.
"Where're you going?" Dwayne asked.
"The house."
Dwayne, Marko and Paul scoured the boardwalk for Lily. They disturbed several muggers in their search of the dark allies but didn't see her.
"We're never going to find her." Marko complained. At the same moment, they heard a scream, faint under the noise of the boardwalk. The Boys took to the air following the screams.
They landed in a darkened alley a little way away from the lights of the boardwalk. Two young women were huddled against the wall. Lily was stalking the girls, her eyes red, fangs extended.
"Lily!" Paul grabbed her arm. She shook him off, throwing him across the alley. The two young women took the opportunity and ran away.
"You cost me my dinner." She growled, facing the other two vampires.
"Sorry princess but David wants to see you." Dwayne spread his hands in apology.
"He's in no position to demand anything from me." Lily ran her hands over her body, making a noise of contentment. "Besides, I'm beginning to like this body. Not quite ready to give it up."
Paul slowly got to his feet and crept up behind her, while Lily was watching Marko and Dwayne. She spun around, baring fangs.
"Do you really think you're strong enough to sneak up on me boy?"
Paul shook his head. "Don't have to be." He said and raised a piece of 2x4, swinging it around to hit Lily across the head hard. There was a sickening crack and Lily crumpled to the ground.
"Valdeos is in Lily." David said, bursting into Max's study. Max was flipping through a book on the desk in front of him.
He looked up alarmed. "Where is she?"
"I sent the Boys to the boardwalk to find her. They'll bring her here."
Max stood up. He motioned for David to follow him across the hall. He opened the closet and reached inside. Max handed David a coil of silk rope. "We'll need that to tie him up. The sun rises on the porch side of the house. We can tie her to one of the posts."
David looked at the rope in his hands. "Is this going to hold her?"
"I hope so."
"David! Max!" Shouts from outside had both men down the stairs quickly.
Dwayne was carrying Lily's limp body, Paul and Marko walking behind him. "We found her scaring some poor girls near the boardwalk. Paul knocked her out with a 2x4."
"We'll tie her to one of the posts. The sun rises over there so this should be the best place." Max waved at one of the porch posts. "He didn't leave her body when she was knocked out?" He asked as they tied Lily to a post on the sunrise facing front porch. David tied her hands behind her back so she wouldn't be able to get free.
"This isn't going to hurt her, is it?" Marko asked Max.
"It's the only way." He brushed his hand over her forehead. "Valdeos wants her dead and he won't stop until she is. Then he'll come after you boys. The only way to stop him is to kill him."
"We'll take watches until sunrise." David told the other Boys. "Keep her unconscious."
Dwayne spoke up. "I'll take first watch."
His watch was almost over when Lily began to stir. Dwayne moved closer, still keeping a safe distance from the girl and the thing inside her.
With a groan, Lily raised her head. "Dwayne? What's going on?" She struggled against the bonds that held her to the post.
"I'm sorry Lil. It's the only way to destroy what's inside you."
She was quiet for a moment before he heard a low sound. Lily began to shake as a demonic laughter spilled out of her throat. "You think you're strong enough to destroy me?"
Dwayne cocked his head to the side. She snarled and tried to jump at him. He hit her and she went still against the post.
Paul stepped out of the house. "She wake up?"
"Yeah. I knocked her out again." Dwayne leaned up against one of the other posts.
"Max is really worried about her." Paul checked Lily's ropes. They were beginning to chafe her wrists, the bare skin red and raw. "Man, that's gonna hurt."
Dwayne looked. "Gotta be tight so she doesn't get away."
David took the final watch. He sat on the porch steps next to her unconscious body, waiting for the sun to rise. The other Boys were sprawled around the living room, trying to sleep. They were going to have a long day ahead of them. He watched as the sky began to gradually lighten, waiting until the last minute to go inside.
Marko looked up from his spot on the couch. "Is it time?"
"Soon." David drew the curtains so no sun would get inside. The other Boys got to their feet, both the impending sunrise and what was going to happen to Lily making them anxious.
Max appeared in the doorway of the living room. "Sun's coming up. It should force Valdeos out of Lily's body. Once the sun touches him, it'll be like the sun hitting any of us."
As the sun came over the horizon, Lily woke up. She looked in panic at the rising sun and tried valiantly to free herself. She screeched and thrashed against her bonds.
"David, please! Help me!" The cry came in Lily's own voice. David turned away from the window, wanting desperately to help her.
The screeching continued. Lily's body screamed and convulsed as Valdeos clung frenziedly to her, not wanting to let go. With a final scream, Valdeos was forced from Lily's body, rising up into the growing sunlight. Lily slumped forward against the ropes, unconscious. The shadow vampire screeched, smoke swirling around it.
Its voice was distorted as it screamed. "Damn you Maximilian." The sun emerged fully over the horizon and Valdeos exploded.
Max carefully peered out the window. "He's gone."
"How's Lily?" David asked.
"She's unconscious." He leaned against the wall, his eyes glazed over. "We should try and get some sleep."
"Go ahead Max. We'll stay down here." Paul said softly. They were all struggling to stay awake. Max nodded and headed up the stairs.
David looked at the other vampires. "As soon as the sun moves enough, we'll go out and get her."
Dwayne touched his friend on the shoulder. "Max's right, we need sleep."
"I don't want to leave her out there any longer than necessary."
"I know. We'll take turns. Stay up a few hours and then wake the next." He gently pushed David down onto the couch.
Marko spoke up. "I got a few hours sleep last night. I'll stay up."
"Are you sure?" Dwayne asked.
"Yeah. Its no problem."
They nodded their thanks and settled into the couch and chairs. Marko went into the kitchen to look for something to drink.
Dwayne stopped and looked out the window. Lily's body was bathed in shadows. He quickly woke up the others. David told Paul to go turn on the shower in Lily's bathroom.
David and Dwayne rushed outside and untied her. Ignoring the smoke rising from his shoulders David scooped her up and carried her inside. They went straight up the stairs to her bedroom. Lily's normally pale skin was bright red, sun burnt. He carried her directly into the shower, cooling her burnt skin. She was still unconscious so he held her upright under the spray of water, undressing her to help cool her down.
They stayed in the water until she began to shiver. David handed her out to Dwayne and Marko who were standing by with towels. They began to dry her off, stilling when she groaned in pain.
"Gently boys." David admonished.
Paul held a bottle of burn gel, waiting for them to finish drying her off. Carefully, he smoothed the gel over her reddened skin and bandaged her wrists, where the silk cord had cut into them. David slipped a light cotton nightgown over her head and Marko wrapped her in a clean sheet. They tucked her into bed with plenty of blankets to prevent shock and settled in to wait.
Max appeared just after sundown. He sat down on the edge of Lily's bed and brushed her hair back from her forehead. She made a noise and shifted but didn't wake up.
"Has she woken up at all?" He asked quietly. David shook his head, his gaze never leaving Lily's face. Max sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I've got to go into the store. Just for a couple of hours. Will you call me when she wakes up?"
Paul looked up at the older vampire. "She's going to get better, right?"
"I hope so Paul."
Lily hurt. Her arms, her neck and her face felt like they were on fire. And she was cold. Her shivering made the blankets move over her burnt skin and she moaned.
"David, I think she's waking up." Dwayne's voice broke through the haze of pain and she opened her eyes. Her eyes met his warm brown ones and he smiled. "Hi princess."
"Did we get him?" She croaked.
He laughed. "We did. Though you gave us quite a scare."
David appeared at her bedside, his cerulean eyes showing uncharacteristic concern. "Hi Lily. How do you feel?"
"I hurt."
The Boys laughed softly. Paul passed David a glass of water. Gently, he helped Lily sit up so she could drink the water. Dwayne propped up a bunch of pillows behind her so she could sit up. She shivered as her shoulders were exposed. David wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"You'll be cold until the sunburn heals. Your body's trying to get rid of the excess heat." He explained.
"I called Max." Marko appeared in her doorway. "He'll be home in a little while."
"I want to go downstairs." She pushed back her blankets and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
"Whoa, hold on princess." David stopped her from trying to stand up. "Let us help you." He picked her up easily, her arms around his neck. Dwayne grabbed some blankets and followed David down the stairs.
"Where do you want to go?" David asked softly.
"The swing on the porch." He carried her out to the porch and carefully set her down on the swing. Dwayne arranged the blankets around her so she wasn't cold and sat down next to her.
"Look at the moon." She said softly. It was a blue moon, full and shining.
"Pretty." Dwayne pushed the swing with his foot, sending the swing rocking back and forth gently. The other Boys came out and arranged themselves around the porch.
Max pulled his car into the garage and headed for the house. He stopped when he saw the Lost Boys and Lily sprawled around the porch.
"Hello, Boys." He walked up the steps, Thorn by his side. Thorn growled at them. Lily looked at the dog. Thorn padded over and lay down at her feet, his head on his paws.
"Well, he's never done that before." She said.
"Maybe Thorn's decided he likes you." Max sat down in the seat Dwayne had vacated.
Lily laughed. "I doubt it. He's never liked me."
"Hey, Max?" Marko spoke up. Max turned his head to look at the small vampire. "You don't have any other enemies we need to know about do you?"
"None that I can think of Marko."
"Good." Lily leaned against her father. "I don't think I can handle anymore people using my body as a parking spot."
Max chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders. He looked around at the Boys sitting on the porch and smiled. His family was safe.