Author Note:

I'll try and update this story weekly. But I have work and other things to juggle. So, sorry in advance if I miss a week. Hope you enjoy this story. I'm having a blast writing it. Also, I don't own any of the characters created by the amazing Christine Feehan, just the original ones that I've come up with to populate the beautiful world that Mrs. Feehan has created for us. Thank You for reading!

Chapter 2

The town was one of the few places of civilization that dotted the vast expanse of wilderness. It was a tight knit community, being as small as it was, yet it also had a healthy population of tourists at any given time. The constant stream of tourists not only kept a smile on the faces of the townsfolk but it also kept the town from disappearing into obscurity.

Tonight the patrons were all sitting at the bar and tables that populated the lounge area of the inn. Although the place was alive with chatter, a current of unease and nervousness seemed to thrum amongst the people. Many sleep deprived eyes couldn't keep from casting anxious glances toward the dark corners of the room and into the night beyond.

Just then the front doors opened, startling everyone out of their thoughts.

In walked three men, wearing long black dusters and two of them carrying large duffel bags. They moved with the fluid grace of jungle cats, completely at ease with their strength and capabilities.

The chatter in the bar seemed to die down as if everyone in the bar were straining to hear what the strangers had to say as they reached the bartender.

"Evening gentlemen, what'll it be?" asked the bartender.

"A shot of whiskey, for all three of us." The man in the middle said.

After the bartender served them their drinks he couldn't help but ask.

"So what brings you out to these parts?"

The middle man, clearly the leader, downs his drink in one go before answering.

"My name is Cole. These are my brothers Damon and Vince."

Every person openly stares at the three as Cole turned to the address the crowd. With a devilish grin he continues.

"We are the Varia brothers, and we hunt vampires."

Outside the village the world became as silent as the grave. Every nocturnal animal, including the insects, hid themselves in fear of the approaching threat.

Moments later the silence began to enter the town as people had the distinct urge to get in doors.

As silence enveloped the entire town many residents began praying.

Something monstrous and horrifying had arrived.

"Vampire hunters huh." The bartender repeated.

"Yes, we're on the trail of a particularly nasty vampiress."

"And that trail led you here?"

"That it did. You folks wouldn't happened to have noticed anything out of the ordinary would you?"

Everyone quietly looked to each other.

Finally a person stood up.

"Different how?"

Cole looked at the man. "With a vampiress it's pretty obvious, you'll have dreams, erotic dreams, about the same beautiful woman."

As soon as he said that a grave hush fell upon the people.

"Those dreams start out all nice and pleasant, but, soon, they start to change."

As he talked, Cole made his way through the crowd, keeping everyone's attention rapt on him.

"They start getting more and more violent. Pretty soon you'll be dreaming about that woman eating you alive, and, the scary part is, you'll let her eat you."

At this point the fear was real on their faces. One person stammered out his response.

"I've had those dreams. So have some of my friends."

Cole slowly walked toward him.

"When did they start?" He asked.

"About a week ago."

Cole, shook his head. "A week ago, huh. That means we got here just in time."

Just then the lights dimmed as shadows crept forth from the corners of the room. A chill blasted through the inn carrying with it a sense of dread and malevolence that raked it's claws deep into all the patrons. Each one of them subconsciously huddling closer towards each other as they cast fearful glances out the windows.

"Wha-?" Someone began.

"Everyone be quiet." Cole said.

Everyone's eyes followed him as he slowly made his way to the window. Some of the patrons began to softly whimper as they saw a thick heavy fog crawl through the deserted streets like a great beast devouring all semblance of life. Even more unnerving was when the fog stopped just before reaching the inn, as if it were waiting.

"It's here." Cole said softly.

Gasps erupted from the patrons as they saw the fog begin to part, revealing a lone figure. The whole crowd was mesmerized by the sight of the staggeringly beautiful woman who slowly sauntered down the street. Her eyes held a vivid green that spoke of an untamed wildness that contrasted perfectly with the silky curtain of raven black hair that went past her shoulders. A rich, vibrant, red colored her full lips which further complimented the mischievous smirk she wore. Her body was the perfect combination of voluptuous curves and sinfully fluid movements that gave the illusion that she was some long forgotten ethereal deity that men worshiped long ago through song and poetry.

One of the patrons was so entranced by the sight of the woman that when he spoke he sounded as if nobody else was around and it was just the woman and him.

"Who are you?" He softly whispered.

The woman smiled as she held out her hand, beckoning him. The man didn't even realize that he had taken a step until Cole put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"That my friend is a vampiress. And an ancient one at that."

The man's jaw dropped. "You can't be serious."

"My dear friend there's one thing that I don't kid around about, and that's vampire hunting."

Cole turned his attention back to the vampiress as he called out to one of his companions.

"Damon. My hunting gear if you please."

Damon nodded as he tossed one of the duffel bags to Cole, who immediately threw off his duster, revealing a combat vest with multiple open pockets. From the duffel bag he withdrew several weapons and items and inserted them into his vest.

A look of astonishment washed over people's face as they watched Cole.

"You're not really gonna fight her are you?" One called out.

"That's the idea." Cole headed towards the front door before turning to the people "Don't go near the windows. Listen to my men, and I promise you'll make it out alive."

With that, Cole stepped out onto the street.

The woman walked towards him, her feet not seeming to even touch the ground, as if she were floating.

"Good evening sir. I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm a little lost." The vampiress said. Her voice was like heaven to listen to, playing over the skin like fingers from a skilled pianist totally immersed in her craft. Her voice was accented so that it sounded like such a young innocent girl that you just wanted to take into your arms and shield her from all that was wrong in the world. Yet at the same time her voice sounded like that of a woman who ignited fantasies of long nights of hot passion in which your every carnal desire would be met until you drowned in ecstasy.

"Please sir." Her alluring voice continued.

Cole wasn't fazed, his stare was frozen in a grim expression. He shook his head 'no'.

"What's wrong? Why do you look at me so?" She sounded like the epitome of hurt. "Why do you hate me?" Sorrow rolled off of her in waves, piercing everyone nearby with intense sadness.

Now standing in front of Cole she raised her hand to stroke his stoic face but stopped when he spoke.

"I'm not some squirrelly amateur to be swayed by such theatrics she-devil."

The vampiress' facade began to crack. Her beautiful face fractured and broke away to reveal something sinister beneath. Immediately the entire area permeated with such an evil aura that everyone was thrown out of their trance as if they had been doused with ice cold water.

"You will do as your told!" The vampiress spat.

Fear pooled in the gut of nearly everyone at the inn, some cried uncontrollably while others could be heard muttering fierce prayers. Damon looked on as the third companion turned to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Vince and you have nothing to fear. For your saviors have arrived in the nick of time."

Everyone's attention returned to the fight outside as they saw the vampiress ready herself to attack.

"Come at me devil woman! I eagerly await your worst!" Cole called out.

The crowd was captivated as a young attractive woman spoke. "He's so brave." While another attractive woman said a silent prayer for Cole.

"That he is" Vince said. "That he is indeed."

The vampiress charged Cole. Just before she could touch him, he withdrew a wreath of garlic. The vampiress quickly retreated as her face churned with disgust.

The people gasped as they saw this.

"They hate garlic!" One of them cried out.

"Yes." Vince said. "But. Not any kind of garlic will do."

Several people turned to look at him.

"You see, the most effective garlic has to be grown in holy ground and blessed by a priest."

Just then Vince withdraws a wreath of garlic from his duffel bag. "Much like the ones we sell here to people we come across."

When the crowd saw this they began calling out. "I'll take one of those garlic wreaths."

Another shouted "Me too!"

"I'll take two!" Someone else said.

"Alright. That's the spirit. I thought I sensed a hunter in all of you." Damon added enthusiastically as he was practically swarmed with men and women waving their money madly at him. Damon could barely conceal the look of relish on his face.

A roar, followed by a thunderous boom sounded off in the streets.

The audience was thoroughly captivated as the two engaged in their mortal dance, circling each other in a violent series of feints and counters. The vampiress was clearly trying to get at the hunter's flank as she kept circling to her right.

The inn patrons would all gasp whenever the vampiress went in for a killing blow that would narrowly miss the hunter's neck. At the same time they were all starstruck at the sight of a man facing an ancient terror without flinching.

Who was this man that would risk his life for mere strangers?

"Who are you guys?" A man asked.

The fight outside increased in intensity as the vampiress' fury could be felt by all. People broke out in cold sweats, while others shivered uncontrollably. Yet both Vince and Damon calmly watched the fight. After a moment Vince spoke.

"Whenever evil pushes it's way into this world, we are the ones who push back."

"Because it is what we were born to do." Damon.

"To vampires we're known as the Trinity of Death, but to the world, we prefer to just be called The Varia brothers, defenders of humanity."

Quickly Cole pulled out two silver colored daggers and he pressed his attack, looking like he had just stepped out of a fable.

"The silver that he wields was forged back when the Bible was still being written and has been passed down from saint to saint throughout the ages. It is said that each dagger carries the will of the saints that have carried them into battle against the undead."

Awe washed over the crowd as they looked on at the battle.

The vampiress snarled in fury, her eyes glowing a feral red as her skin took on a porcelain texture; fragmenting little by little to reveal the hideous monstrosity underneath.

She looked like she had had enough. Quickly she launched herself into the air and charged Cole with blinding speed. The two struggled in the air as the vampiress tried to rip his throat out with single bite.

In a single smooth movement the hunter pulled out three small plastic vials that contained a clear liquid and sealed with a rubber nipple tip. The three bottles looked like small finger size baby bottles. He squeezed the vials and the sent the clear liquid streaming into the face of the vampiress. She dropped the hunter as she brought her hands to her face where the liquid had hit her. The sky was filled with an ear piercing shriek of agony as Cole plummeted through the roof of a nearby farmhouse. The vampiress loss altitude quickly as she crash landed right in front of the inn. Many of the women cried out in despair as they watched Cole fall.

The vampiress slowly stood up, facing them. Her face looked melted, all the beauty that she had previously exuded was long gone now. What stood before them now was a skeletal figure that looked as if it had been dipped in tar and infested with insects and spiders.

"The holy water reveals them for what they truly are." Vince said as he held up the same plastic vial that Cole had used. "This vial was not only blessed by priests, but it also contains the tears of saints who laid down their lives for the safety of humanity. Holy water is the physical manifestation of selflessness, therefore it's like poison to the vampires, for they are greedy creatures by nature."

It happened in the blink of an eye. One moment the vampiress was several feet away from the inn and the next moment she was standing just outside the doorway.

Terror reverberated throughout the patrons, many of them huddled into small groups while others prayed openly.

Damon withdrew a silver cross from his bag and held it up to the vampiress who immediately retreated as if she had been scorched by fire.

As this was happening, Damon was busily passing out silver crosses to patrons.

The vampiress' face contorted into a malevolent grin as she began to circle the building seeking entrance from one of the inn's open windows.

"She's coming around the side!" Damon called out. "Get ready!"

"Steady." Vince said to people who held crosses, sounding like a general on a battlefield.

When the vampiress found an open window Damon cried out. "Now! Hold out your crosses! Don't lose faith in those crosses! If you do, the cross will withdraw it's power from you, and the she-devil will pounce!"

The patrons nodded.

"Repeat after me. I believe. I believe. I believe" Vince commanded.

The patron immediately took up the call, chanting 'I believe' as they faced the vampiress. Once the chanting had started, the vampiress hastily retreating back into the street as if she were being pelted with invisible rocks. She turned to leave the town but her escape was cut off by Cole who stood there like a fearless sentinel.

Several women cried out in happiness upon seeing him alive.

He had discarded his hunting vest, revealing his muscular chest. The vampiress was frozen in place, her back to the audience as Cole appeared to have jabbed something into her chest.

She let out a wail of mind rending pain as she turned back to the audience, revealing the wooden stake that protruded from her chest.

"There it is!" Vince said. "What every true vampire hunter needs, a wooden stake. That stake was made from the wooden crosses the bore the bodies of slain saints into the afterlife. Each wooden fiber is infused with the iron will of countless martyrs."

The vampiress staggered a coupled of steps before collapsing to her knees. Her body burst into flames that licked scorching trails across her flesh. Soon her entire body lit up like a roman candle which then slowly began to cave in on itself as if she were melting. A few moments later her screams died out as the fire burned brighter and hotter.

Cole stood there, his body glistening with sweat as he spoke. "When you get to hell she-devil, tell them The Varia brothers sent you."

With that the fire died out, leaving behind a small puddle of noxious goo that was quickly absorbed into the ground.

As Cole turned to head back to the inn he was met with resounding applause and deafening cheers; not just from the inn but also from nearby houses where people had holed up for safety.

"And that ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done" he said.

The whole town had come alive in celebration that would last for several days. The three Varia brothers hailed as heroes and were given money from many thankful villagers. They also found themselves unable to travel anywhere without a harem of women clinging to them. Not that the three brothers minded.

Several miles away from the town, deep in the woods the ground began to break open. A lone figure emerged. The same beautiful woman that had terrorized the town just a few hours earlier. Dirt was caked all over her, and her hair was slightly disheveled from the fight.

Using her Carpathian powers, Jaycie cleaned herself until she was a flawless pristine. Once she had done that she sat down on a small boulder, and huffed a breath of annoyance as she communicated the three brothers.

"I'm tired of being the vampiress. Next town, you guys are going to be the blood thirsty beasts and I'll be the intrepid huntress."