Chapter 6: Out for Blood

Van Helsing knew something was up when the witches stayed outside to talk after Brooke went inside. He had a weapon ready to use…two of them had already gone inside while another stayed.

The woman started to walk away and Gabriel followed her, and made sure not to lose sight of her. It was a good plan…till she seemed to vanish in thin air. Sarah was toying with the hunter and she knew just where to strike him. Her lips whispered the incantations over and over as she moved past the trees with ease. If anyone knew these woods…it was her.

Van Helsing felt a sharp pain in his head and he fell to the ground. He knew it was the witch…it had to be. Black dots were appearing over his eyes and no sooner had he lost his sight completely.

"I order you to stop this nonsense! I'm not here to hurt you!" he used his ears to pick up on her movements.

The young witch wasn't quitting that easy. Sarah grinned as she made him relive his most painful memories, starting with the most recent to the beginning.

They were so vivid to him…watching Brooke suffer in pain, seeing Carl's lifeless body, and seeing his werewolf form kill Anna. He growled in frustration and tried to move and act behind the dreadful visions that were meant to distract him. It made him wonder if this was how Brooke was remembering their last mission.

Meanwhile, Jezebel and the others were celebrating.

"We have the power now to take our revenge! This village will be ours by nightfall. No more hiding…no more lying! We will take all that is ours and none of them can stop us. Together we will unite…the Coven of the Celestial; darkness is our power…" Jezebel was motivating them as they stood eagerly.

The coven left the open field and headed to the village. For the most part everyone was asleep in their bed by that hour, but a few drunkards were still wandering in and out of the tavern.

"Ignatio!" Meeka shouted and the tavern started to catch flame.

The priestess smiled in approval and boarded up all the windows and prevented the tavern's doors from opening. No one would be able to escape the deadly and intense flames.

People were starting to wake from their beds and see the destruction taking place. It was sheer panic and confusion as they witnessed the witches torturing and killing innocent people. Although, the witches didn't deem these people as innocent, for they attacked men and women who had condemned others to death by accusing witchcraft was used on them.

The fire quickly spread to other houses and stores. It swept through the town and left nothing untouched.

Jezebel managed to find one familiar face in the crowd and pursued him. The man stumbled and ran towards a dirt trail away from the village. She calmly followed him at a brisk pace…before exhibiting super-human speeds that could only be compared to a vampire.

"Only the guilty run away, my dear. You took something from me a long time ago…I doubt you remember. You were still a judge then, and what did one young girl's death mean to you? I followed you here and I've been waiting for this moment."

The old man fell to the ground and looked at her while scooting backwards on the dirt. "I'm sorry! I don't know what you're talking about…you have the wrong man. I swear to you."

"NO!" she shouted back. "I was there when you sentenced her for a murder she did not commit! She was just a girl…and you had her burned. I watched my little girl cry for her mama. What kind of human does that? You, Judge Hammel, and you shall suffer the same pain my daughter felt."

The old man started to vaguely remember. She was a sweet child, but there was a lot of evidence against her in the case and even some witnesses. The child wouldn't admit to the crime, but others saw her working magic on a woman she was jealous of.

His feet started to get warm…his head was starting to sweat as well. The judge's eyes were focused on Jezebel's and he didn't move...he couldn't move…like a terrified rabbit.

A loud scream erupted from his lungs as his feet caught fire. The intense flames traveled up his pants. Burning flesh could be smelled all around him as his clothes burned into his skin. It didn't take long before he collapsed onto the ground. Within minutes the old man succumbed to the flames.

She stared at the burning body, thinking about her daughter. Justice was finally served for her and this made tears form in her eyes. The body burned itself out and she returned to the village. People were still running about in fear or were watching their lives smolder into ashes.

Van Helsing managed to break away from the devastating images and feelings long enough to bring the witch responsible down to the ground. When he realized she was just a young girl…the hunter had some sympathy.

"Go…go on get out of here!"

Sarah was confused. She didn't understand why the monster hunter was being so merciful. Slowly she backed away from him and ran out of the woods and into the village to find Jezebel.

"That's a lot of power for a young girl," he shook his head and walked back to the cabin.

As he came upon the cabin he let out a curse. The door was busted off the hinges. He kept his crossbow ready not knowing who had been inside.

"What the hell…" Gabe could see Dryden's back as he laid on the floor and something or someone was next to him. "GET UP!" he shouted at the vampire.

Dryden shook at the hunter's voice and he felt Brooke stirring next to him. This situation was about to get a little confusing…and possibly deadly. Slowly he obeyed and stood up.

"I can explain…this isn't what you think it is."

Gabriel glared at him, "why would you say that? What have you done now?" he growled and realized who was on the floor.

"Brooke? What have you done to her?"

He put the bow down before getting on the floor and holding her in his arms. Her neck and mouth was smeared with blood and she was cold. His partner had no pulse.

"YOU KILLED HER?" He shouted at Dryden.

"No…worse…" he admitted sorrowfully.

Brooke opened her eyes and looked up into Gabriel's face, "an angel? You're so bright."

"No, no it's me," he frowned confused. "Tell me what happened."

"Oh," she smiled. "Gabriel." Brooke paused. "They knew…they knew all along. Some spell made Dryden go crazy and he bit me…it wasn't him. I thought…I thought I died again."

"Again?" This made no sense to him unless she knew everything. "Brooke, look at me."

Van Helsing lifted her top lip and her new fangs shined in the moonlight. Gently he let go of her and flew at Dryden.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO HER!" He grabbed the vampire by the neck and held him against the wall.

"I was trying to save her. I didn't know what else to do…I couldn't control myself. Please believe me Van Helsing; I'd never wish to hurt her," Dryden managed to say through the tight grip on his neck.

The hunter released him and couldn't believe this was happening. The witches were out of control and his partner was changed into a vampire.