Hey everyone!
I would just like to thank you all for the wonderful reviews. They are what keep me typing away at this story. Also, I have realized that this story is going to be a lot longer than I first thought. I won't be surprised if by the end of it, it turns out to be an epic. (groans) But, here's some good news. I've been picking away at some other chapters and I've finally figured out how this thing ends. And for all of your who are waiting patiently for Star to show up, she'll be appearing in chapter 14 and on. And I have figured out how Laddie fits into all of this...finally.
Well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I shall hopefully have the next one up before we all turn old and grey. I really must start making these chapters shorter. Instead of a fan fiction, I'll end up writing a novel!
Happy Reading.
The tide was coming in as the five vampires walked along the sandy shore, ignoring the loud music that was being blasted from a number of different bonfires that were scattered along the beach. Not a word was spoken as they headed out of the sight and sound of the late-night partygoers that were getting drunk and high, blissfully unaware of the death that stalked past them, nor the dark clouds that were rolling in overhead. Thunder rumbled out over the ocean, but no one seemed to notice this, not even the vampires. As the inevitable event of bloodshed approached, they became more alerted and edgy. Only David and Max kept a visage of outward calm and poise, but internally, both vampires were chomping on the bit.
Thorn growled when Marko got too close and a quick flash off teeth sent the vampire leaping back. Max smiled to himself as the five of them made their way through a cluster of boulders, entering a shallow cove that was usually submersed in water at high tide. Max suspected that this was the usual sticking place for the small vampire gang. Out of the way, undetected, it was easy to hide a body here and let the ocean take care of the rest. Well, at least they weren't sloppy. Max could give them that much credit.
"Now let's not be hasty boys. It's all fun and games until someone looses an eye you know." Max told them, standing there with his back to the ocean as he calmly watched the four vampires close in on him.
"And who the fuck do you think you are? Mr. Rodgers?" Paul sneered as
Max's frown deepened as he gave Paul a reproachful look.
"I do not appreciate the tone Paul. Didn't you mother ever teach you any manners?" Max asked as he took a step back when Paul let out an angry snarl and charged him. The blow that Max delivered swept Paul right off his feet and sent him flying backwards, landing on the sand with a yelp, much to the surprise of everyone. Max stood there, massaging his knuckles as Paul groaned and spat out a tooth that had become dislodged from the force of the blow. Paul thought that Dwayne could hit hard but man, this was just unreal.
"A lesson that you boys are going to have to learn is to always respect your elders." Max said stiffly as he turned to the others who were still prowling around him, but this time making sure to keep their distance. Feral yellow eyes gleamed wickedly in the darkness as the boys circled the lone vampire, looking for the perfect time to strike as one. Thorn stood stiffly at Max's side, the fur along his back standing on end as he snarled savagely in warning, his deep barks being drowned out by the approaching thunder. For all the world it looked like something out of a Jack London novel, a circle of wolves waiting for the weaker opponent to go down before they moved in to finish it off. Only now, it would be the waiting wolves that would be doing the attacking. A bolt of lightning arched across the sky above them, illuminating the five for a split second before the terrible clash of thunder crashed overhead. On that note, David and the others attacked, teeth flashing and eyes glinting as the heavens opened up and unleashed a downpour of heavy rain, drenching the field of battle in moments. Marko dived low, colliding into Max's legs as Dwayne leapt upwards, clamping his clawed hands onto the larger man's shoulder and between the two of them, the managed to bring Max to his knees. The boulder enclosed alcove erupted in savage snarls, barks, howls, and thunder as the vampires battled it out for territory and domination.
Paul and David were forced back under the savage onslaught of Max's hellhound. Thorn went at them like a creature possessed, jaws snapping wildly as he aimed to crush bone with every bite. No matter how fast they were, the two couldn't seem to get past possessed dog for it seemed to be everywhere at once. With an ear-splitting howl, Thorn ran at Paul and threw himself upon the vampire, bringing him down as he snapped at his face. Paul managed to bring his arm up in time before Thorn could rip his face off and roared out in pain as the dog's teeth sunk into his lower arm and shook him viciously. The strength that the dog possessed stunned Paul as he wrestled with the brute, trying to kick him off without having his arm ripped out of its socket.
While the dog was mauling Paul, Dwayne and Marko were having one heck of a time trying to keep Max down. Every time they got the upper hand, Max just seemed to brush them off as if they were nothing before they redoubled their attack. David ran towards Paul as Thorn managed to get a grip on the guy's shoulder when something grabbed him from behind and picked him up off the ground and slammed him down. David managed to avoid getting his head crushed by sheer luck as he rolled to the side just as Max brought his foot down. In an instant, David was on his feet, snarling like a demon as Max beckoned him forward with a coy smile. Marko, who had been dashed up against a wave worn boulder, lay in a crumpled heap on the sand knocked out cold. Dwayne, who had no idea how he ended up a good twenty feet from the battleground, was doubled over in pain as he tried to rise to his feet. Max had snapped his left leg like a chicken bone before he pitched Dwayne away from him. The massive claw marks that laid open his side were a testimony to Max's power, but that didn't stop the boys from fighting on.
"Help Paul!" David yelled out to Dwayne as he and Max circled each other, sizing one another up as they darted left and right, each one avoiding the other's jabs. Dwayne dragged himself towards where Paul and Thorn were and despite his busted leg, he threw himself onto of the dog and grabbed it in a headlock, trying to force it off of Paul.
"You know we don't have to do this." Max said, his fangs gleaming as he smiled at David, easily sidestepping his opponent's swinging left hook. David automatically recovered himself and leapt backwards as Max slashed at him with his nails, aiming to maim him.
"Are you always this sure of yourself?" David growled as ducked and weaved under Max's guard, striking a blow to the side with a well-aimed punch. Yet he wasn't fast enough to avoid getting whacked in the back of the head by a downward slash that sent him staggering forward. After that, all words were forgotten as David turned and locked jaws with Max, both of them ripping into each other for all they were worth. The two vampires snapped, tore, kicked and tussled up and down the alcove, the blood from their various wounds running onto the sand as it was washed off of them by the rain. Max was thoroughly surprised at the strength and sheer viciousness that David possessed, but despite his wounds, he managed to kick David's feet from under him and bring him down. But the fighting didn't stop there. Like a pair of crazed wolves, the two of them fought on, sending wet sand flying every which way as they struggled for the dominant position. One minute David was on top and then the next it was Max, neither one ever managing to hold the position for more than a few moments. Max's claws tore at David's face as David sunk his fangs into the older vampire's wrist, biting into the main vein. Blood went everywhere as Max snarled in pain and backhanded David with enough force to stun a carthorse. Blinded by Max's blood, David couldn't avoid the torrent of blows that Max rained down on him as he fought to keep himself from blacking out. In a last ditch effort, David brought his knees up to his chest and mule kicked his attacker off of him, gaining a few precious seconds.
By this time both vampires were moving slowly, Max bleeding heavily from his wounded wrist while David's face was covered in blood, his own and Max's. The thunder overhead rumbled and groaned at a deafening pitch as the two vampires hauled themselves to their feet, bloodied, battered and bruised, but not yet broken.
"Had enough?" David spat as he blinked rainwater out of his eyes, not daring to look over his shoulder to see what had become of the others. Max stood bent over, his wounded wrist clutched to his chest, as he looked over at David and snarled. David snarled back and seeing that this was his chance, took it without thinking twice. He struck out at Max like greased lightning, aiming to tear Max's throat open with his nails, thus ending the battle. Yet as he did this, he knew that he had made a mistake. This was what Max had waiting for all along and before David could stop himself, Max rose up to his full height and brought the palm of his right hand up, catching David right under the chin. The blow snapped David's head back as Max bulldozed into him, forcing him down onto the sand. Pinning his arms down with his knees, Max wrapped his hands around David's throat and throttled the life out of him. David bucked and struggled, but Max was too heavy and the grip on his throat tightened to the point that he could feel bones of his neck grind together before Max snapped his neck with a flick of his wrists. At once David stopped struggling and lay beneath Max unmoving except for his eyes. A busted neck would instantly kill a human, but to a vampire, it did nothing more than paralyze him.
"You know, I had thought of letting you live, but then I realized that you would be too much of a problem and I really don't want to have to deal with that." Max growled as he hoisted David up slightly, pulling away the collar of his jacket to expose the immobilized vampire's throat. David's eyes widened, for he knew what was coming and couldn't do a damn thing to stop it. Where the hell were Paul, Dwayne and Marko? This couldn't be happening…but yet it was. And that's when he realized what Fay had been trying to tell him all night. His demand for authority had caused him to be careless and now he was going to get bled to death because of it. David closed his eyes as he felt Max's reeking breath on his throat and steeled himself for the savage bite. Without waste another minute, Max snarled and sunk his fangs into David's pale throat, but before he could swallow more than a mouthful, a heart-rending scream split the rain-filled air as something flew at the two vampires. A flash of steel caught Max's eye as he unlatched his fangs from David's throat. Before he could move out of the way, a twelve-inch stiletto blade was plunged between his shoulder blades, burying five inches deep.
"ARRGH!" Max howled as he lashed out with his left hand, releasing David as he tried to swat his attacker away. But the person was quicker and ducked under his outstretched arm to ram another thin blade of steel into his chest. Max looked down at the slender projectile for a split second before two sets of claws embedded themselves into his face and hauled him off of David as he blinked in utter shock, flailing both arms at once to drive off the hissing and spitting demon that slashed and swatted at him in rapid succession with its claws. Luckily he managed to knock the enraged thing off of him when he did because whatever it was that was attacking him was about to gouge his eyes out. Max rose to his feet, claws out to defend himself, fully expecting an attack from the other vampires.
But what he saw crouching protectively over David's body wasn't a vampire. Golden feline eyes glared death at him as Fay pulled back her lips and let out another harsh scream, sounding more animal than human. She hissed at Max, gnashing her sharpened teeth in warning while hunkering over the wounded vampire who, up until this point, been the bane of her existence. Before Max could begin to comprehend what he was seeing, Fay launched herself at him, claws first. And indeed those were curved claws that carved into his chest and not the perfectly manicured nails that she had been inspecting an hour ago. Max stumbled back as Fay snapped at his face, her teeth grazing his nose as she aimed to do as much bodily harm to him in those few precious seconds as she possibly could. Max snarled in anger as he yanked the spastic girl off of him and tossed her away, but still she kept on coming. Clawing and scratching, biting and gouging, Fay was all over him as her fury drove her on. If she had been thinking straight she would have summoned up what magical powers she had and sent Max packing, but after seeing what he had done to her boys, all she wanted to do was tear him to pieces.
Thorn, who was still fighting Dwayne, wrenched himself out of the vampire's strangle hold when he heard his master's howls of pain. Baying out a booming bark, he raced towards Fay with his teeth bared. Fay was too busy tearing at Max's back to notice the fury in fur pelting towards her because if she had, she would have taken off like a shot head vampire or no head vampire.
"REEEERRRRRWWWW!" Yowled a chorus of high-pitched voices as the rain sodden form of Tomfoolery landed on Thorn's back, showing no mercy as the fur flew left, right and center. Thorn yelped in pain and surprise as he slid to a stop just as four more cats pelted from the rocks like a tiny group of guerilla fighters to wreck havoc upon the white devil dog. Vampires may have their hellhounds, but woe be to the mutt that dared to cross paths with a fighting tom cat, hellions in their own right. Even though the four cats were smaller than the enraged canine, they fought tooth and claw, unleashing a savage justice onto the one that dared threaten the life of their "mum". For that moment they weren't cats anymore but tiny lions, giving everything they had to take down their most hated foe.
Dwayne crouched there in complete shock as he watched Fay's feline fiends do what he and Paul could not. After two minutes of vicious combat, Thorn turn tail and ran yelping off into the night with the cats chasing after him, yowling their savage cries in his wake. When he turned his eyes towards Max, he saw a different story. Despite Fay's earlier success, she was no match for the vampire and it was really beginning to show. It took every trick, back flip and dance move that Fay knew to keep herself from getting slashed open by Max's nails. But she kept at it gamely, hoping above hope that Max would relent and retreat, but if it hadn't been for Dwayne, she would have ended up along side David, broken neck and all. Dwayne summoned up whatever strength he had left and launched himself into the air, dipping wildly as he flew at Max, snarling out a wordless cry. Max, having been severely injured by David and laid upon by the crazed cat woman, took one look at the vampire flying towards him and knew then that he had to beat a hasty retreat. Pushing Fay off of him, he tensed before he took off in a gust of wind, vowing to finish what he had started.
"IF YOU EVER COME NEAR MY BOYS AGAIN I'LL EAT YOU ALIVE! I'LL RIP YOUR GUTS OUT AND HANG YOU FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE WITH THEM! DO YOU HEAR ME VON RUBEN? COME NEAR THEM AGAIN AND I SWEAR BY BAST THAT YOU'LL NEVER LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER SUNSET!" Fay yowled into the lightning-charged night as she ran along the wave beaten surf, shrieking curses and oaths at Max's retreating form. She slowed to a stop when she could no longer see Max amidst the stormy night sky, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath. Only when she managed to bring herself to a state of rocky calmness did Fay make her way back to where David and the others lay torn and bleeding. Staggering like a drunk as a wave of fatigue washed over her, Fay sunk down by David's side as she peeled her rain-drenched hair away from her face. The yellow eyes, teeth and claws were gone, replaced by a worried expression as she gently lifted David's head and ran her fingertips along the back of his neck, trying to locate the break in his spinal chord. When she found what she was looking for, Fay braced the sides of his neck with her hands and swiftly cracked his neck back into place, getting the disk to realign properly. David, who had been conscious for the entire thing, blinked in a moment's pain before he looked up at Fay, his eyes clouding over with uncertainty and disbelief.
"Try not to move. I've patched up worse in my time." Fay said in a soothing voice as she pressed her hand against the deep wound in David's neck, trying to staunch the bleeding as much as possible. She tore her eyes from David's as she looked around the alcove, trying to see where the others were. Marko was still out cold, which was no surprise seeing that the back of his head had been bashed in when Max rammed him headfirst into the boulder. Paul was further off, curled up into a fetal position. His right arm had been torn open to the bone, the wound measuring a good twelve inches in length, and judging by the tear marks, it looked like Thorn had swallowed a few mouthfuls of Paul's flesh in the heat of battle. If Fay didn't get the wound stitched up soon and put blood back into Paul, he wasn't going to make it through the night. Dwayne was hardly any better off, but at least he was able to hobble around somewhat.
"What the fuck was that Fay?" Dwayne asked as he limped over to where she was sitting beside David.
"Not now Dwayne." She said as she shook her head wearily. Right now, she could hardly think straight and trying to answer questions was not an ability she currently possessed.
"Here, get off that leg of yours and keep your hand on David's neck. If he moves, smack him. I'm going to see what I can do for the others." Fay instructed as she grabbed Dwayne's hand and positioned it right over the oozing puncture marks when she removed hers from David's neck. When that was done, Fay forced herself to her feet and hurried over to where Marko lay. After quickly looking him over, she knew that he was in no immediate danger of dying on her. His skull was already starting to knit itself back together and when he would regain consciousness, he was going to have one bitch of a migraine. Muttering a word of thanks, Fay wrapped her arms around his chest and hauled him over to where Dwayne and David were before making her way over to Paul.
"Paul?" She cooed quietly as she carefully approached the downed vampire. All she got as a response was a muffled groan. Moving towards him as one might walk up to a injured animal, Fay carefully crept around him while keeping out of his reach. An injured vampire was as unpredictable as a half-starved grizzly and the last thing she needed was to end up with Paul's fangs buried in her neck.
"Oh Paul." She whimpered when she saw what the hellhound's teeth had done to him. Curled up into a fetal position, Paul was shaking uncontrollably, in shock and unresponsive to her touch. She crouched down beside him and tilted his head towards her, peering into his eyes. No response, not even a blink.
"Think Fay think." She muttered between her teeth as she chewed on her tongue. The first thing that she had to do was bind the wound. Yanking her jacket off, she did the best she could and wrapped it as tight as she could around Paul's mangled arm without causing him further pain. There were a few moments when she had to look away when the urge to vomit became too overwhelming.
"Dwayne!" Fay called out, shivering with cold and fear. There was not a soul in sight and going to get help was clearly not an option. With every drop of blood that oozed out of his wound, Paul was an inch closer to death and the time was ticking.
"Yeah?" Dwayne answered back, his voice barely heard above the wind and thunder. Gritting his teeth, Dwayne braced himself as he twisted and snapped the broken bones of his leg back into their proper places. Snarling every curse word he knew, he set his leg the best he could while vowing to repay Max tenfold for what he had done.
"DWAYNE!" Fay yelled, looking over her shoulder to see if the vampire was coming. Dwayne didn't even bother to respond as he lay on the sand, blinking back the stars of pain that had blossomed in front of his eyes. No one had the energy to move while the storm raged on, pelting them all mercilessly with stinging rain, adding salt to their already grievous wounds.
"Damn you Von Ruben. Damn you to the seventh circle of hell." Fay cried to herself as she cradled Paul in her arms, her tears indistinguishable from the rainwater that dribbled down her face. Now what was she going to do? Her blood would do more harm than good if she let Paul feed off her, and the other three were in no condition to be of any use. A clap of thunder rumbled overhead as she clung more tightly to Paul, praying for a miracle to occur. Either someone on high was listening or it was just plain old coincidence, but Fay's prayer was answered.
"Merwow?" Meowed a gruff voice as Tomfoolery appeared beside her, followed closely by the four other alley cats that had answered her call for help back at the boardwalk. Fay looked down at the sodden, skinny forms of the cats and let out a small whimper of thanks. Old Tom narrowed his good eye and rubbed himself against her, peering up at her with a questioning look.
"He is bad off?" Tom mewed. To everyone else, the meows would have been meaningless, but Fay understood him perfectly. It wasn't often that a cat "talked" because most of their communicating was done by body language and looks, but they could and would if the occasion arouse. Fay nodded as she gently brushed Paul's bangs away from his eyes, hoping for some sort of reaction.
"He needs blood." Fay said simply. The other four felines looked at one another and backed off quickly, earning a disapproving glare from the grizzled tomcat.
"Use the young one." Was all that Tomfoolery said. Fay looked at him confused, not knowing what he meant by that. The cat turned and looked to where the other three lay before looking back at Fay. It was simple and the most obvious answer to this problem. Why Fay didn't think of it herself was a complete mystery, but hey, people make mistakes.
"Tom ,you genius." Fay said as she scooped the cat up and smothered his mangled head in a shower of kisses. Tom closed his eyes and purred contently before she put him back down onto the wet sand and gently tugged his tail in thanks. Carefully, she rose and doing her best not to jostle Paul too much, slowly dragged him over to where the others were. A faint groan came from Paul as Fay gently laid him beside Marko. Meanwhile, Tom was nudging Dwayne back into the present situation while Fay bent over the two and went straight to work. There was no way that Fay was going to be able to carry them all back to the cave and Dwayne was the only one that could be of some help.
"What are you doing?" Dwayne groaned when Tom finally managed to get his attention. He patted the cat on the head as he rose into a sitting position, holding back a gasp as he accidentally moved his leg.
"Saving Paul's life." Fay replied as she swiftly sliced Marko's wrist open with newly formed claws and brought his arm up to Paul's mouth. Trying to coax Paul to feed was difficult, but some part of his mind began to function again once the blood trickled down his throat and in a few seconds he was latched onto his unconscious friend like a starving leech.
"Smart…..cat." David whispered as he watched Fay pry Marko's wrist away from Paul before he had a chance to drain the youngest vampire dry.
"I don't want to hear a single word come out of your mouth David. You're damn lucky to still be alive." She said as she began to slowly take charge of the situation once more. Paul was still on shaky grounds, but he'd survive until she got him back to the cave and doused him with the bottle of blood that she knew David had hidden somewhere. Dwayne had mentioned it to her the night before and she had made a mental note to find it and bash it over David's skull the minute his back was turned. It was a good thing that she never had that chance.
"If you call…being paralyzed…alive." David muttered before he fell silent; contemplating what the future would hold if he was never able to move, much less walk again.
"I've re-set your neck. You'll be up and about by tomorrow. But I won't lie. I was half tempted to leave you that way for a while." Fay snorted, becoming her old self once more as the alarm factor slowly dropped. Paul was moving slightly, which was a good sign and Dwayne was trying to get to his feet to see if his newly set leg would hold him. A flash of alarm crossed David's face at the thought of it but he wisely remained silent.
"Right. Dwayne, do you think you're able to fly?" Fay asked Dwayne as she grabbed his elbow to help steady him.
"The cave's not far off. I could make it." Dwayne said, looking towards the outline of the cliff face, judging the distance from here to there.
"Good. Take Paul first and I'll see if I can get Marko to come round." Fay said as she helped to sling Paul over Dwayne's shoulder. As she adjusted Paul, she had her back turned to David and didn't see him slowly raise his arm off the ground. That was about as far as he got before Tomfoolery hissed at him and swatted him one with his paw.
"Try that once more David and I'll bust your neck myself and leave you here. This alcove has a great view of the sunrise." Fay said without turning around. Dwayne had already taken off and now she was gently shaking Marko, trying to get him to wake up.
"You didn't have to." David said quietly, remaining unmoving where he lay while Tom kept his eye on him.
"I know." Fay answered as she tapped Marko on the side of his face.
"He's going to come after you." David said as he watched Fay out of the corner of his eye.
"I know." She said once more. The two didn't say anything as Fay tried everything to bring Marko back to consciousness. It was impossible; he was going to be out for the rest of the night.
"Why?" David asked. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that Fay had actually jumped into the middle of a vampire duel to save him. Hell, what she did went against the laws that all witches followed and they both knew it. No good would come of this.
"Wouldn't you?" Fay asked softly, looking at him.
David didn't reply.