Arc III: Part IV
Five seconds after reading Ludvik's message, Sirius felt a sudden tightening of the admonitor around his wrist. It gripped him tightly as the portkey activated, whisking him away from the hill and transporting him several miles to an unfamiliar small urban apartment. As he materialized, confusion etched across his face, he took in the chaotic scene that surrounded him.
The furniture lay in ruins, the curtains torn and tattered, while Sirius's gaze fixated on a pool of blood staining the floor. His eyes then shifted towards the wall, where a long scorch mark marred the wallpaper. Intrigued, Sirius approached the wall, running his fingers over the burn marks. As he did so, his suspicions were swiftly confirmed, for he felt no warmth emanating from the charred surface.
"The Severing Charm," Ludvik's voice echoed from behind, prompting Sirius to turn his head toward the old man.
"That's what I suspected," Sirius replied with a nod.
"This time, it seems the victim put up a fight," Ludvik remarked, pointing to the bloodstains on the floor and the rifle lying nearby. "Come, take a look," he added, motioning for Sirius to follow him to a corner of the living room.
Sirius followed, carefully avoiding stepping on the blood until he reached the broken cabinet where Ludvik stood. Shards of glass littered the floor, with pictures hanging haphazardly out of their frames. Ludvik picked one up and handed it to Sirius. As Sirius examined the picture, he recognized the forensic expert they had met the previous day. The young man had a broad smile on his face, his arm wrapped around the waist of a younger girl who was also smiling. Observing the resemblance, it was clear that they were related.
"Isn't this the guy we met yesterday?" Sirius inquired. "What was his name?"
"Florin Bucur... Correct," Ludvik confirmed.
"He's the victim? Did he live here?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Ludvik whispered, nodding towards the policemen who had returned to the living room.
"You know what this means?" Sirius questioned.
"Do you think he stumbled upon something, and the killer came back to finish him off?" Ludvik speculated.
"Not only that... It could also imply that the killer was present, observing us. Otherwise, how would they have known who was investigating the scene?" Sirius suggested.
Ludvik nodded in agreement and said, "This is the first time in six months that we haven't found the victim's body... It's possible that he managed to escape somehow."
"Do you think that's possible?" Sirius inquired.
Ludvik let out a sigh and directed his gaze toward the expansive window in the living room before responding, "It's highly unlikely, but perhaps the vampire struck prematurely, before sunrise... and was compelled to retreat."
Sirius nodded in understanding. As the forensic team arrived and began setting up their equipment in the living room, he approached Ludvik and whispered, "Make sure to obtain a blood sample for Damocles from that pool... In the meantime, I'll go and inspect the bedroom." However, before Ludvik could respond, a police officer placed a hand on his shoulder.
Sirius entered the bedroom, glancing behind him before closing the door. With a sense of urgency, he made his way to the telephone on the bedside table and hastily dialed the number of the pub.
"Come on... pick up... pick..." Sirius whispered anxiously, his eyes darting toward the bedroom door. His heart pounded with anticipation when he finally heard Emma's voice on the other end.
"The Zimmers..." Emma began.
"Emma, it's me! Sirius! Romania, kidnapped, I'm okay, I love you," Sirius interjected hurriedly before abruptly ending the call. He then proceeded to open the closet and pretended to search within, just as Ludvik opened the bedroom door.
"Did you discover anything?" Ludvik inquired.
"Nothing... Their altercation seems to have remained confined to the living room," Sirius responded, shutting the closet door. "By the way, I found out why we couldn't see the castle, and I was about to inform Red and Mikhail about it when your owl found us... Let's return and discuss it."
"Already? What were those fools doing all this time?" Ludvik questioned.
"You'll ask them yourself about that later," Sirius retorted, as Ludvik grabbed his arm to side-apparate them.
Later, in the living room of the Balasko residence:
"I must admit, I'm amazed to see how much progress we've made in just two days... after being stuck for an entire month," Ludvik remarked.
"The apartment was in complete disarray, and as far as we know, Florin Bucur is most likely dead," Sirius stated.
"Let's focus on the concrete evidence rather than speculating," Ludvik urged. "Damocles, what have you discovered from the blood sample I provided?"
"It's vampire blood. Normally, cell division in humans takes twenty-four hours, but in vampires, it's much faster due to their need to regularly consume blood. I easily isolated the virus in the sample for confirmation," Belby explained.
"You mentioned that there was a substantial amount of blood on the floor. It's strange that the vampire would be so severely injured. How could a non-magical person have harmed him? Even a wizard would likely resort to the killing curse in such a situation. Therefore, there shouldn't be any blood at all," Worple commented.
"There was a shotgun on the floor... If it is indeed vampire blood, then everything changes. Initially, we thought he might have retreated due to the approaching dawn, but if Florin shot him, then the vampire might still be alive, hiding somewhere," Ludvik proposed.
Red raised his hand, capturing everyone's attention. "What if Florin and the vampire are working together?"
"What?" Mikhail questioned, his brow furrowing.
"I highly doubt that... The police captain referred to Florin as a 'rookie' back in the motel room," Ludvik responded.
"Yeah... What if Florin managed to secure a job in the police force? He would have privileged access to sensitive information, which he could use to identify easy victims. Additionally, he could be the first responder to crime scenes, covering up his partner's mistakes," Red suggested.
"Why would a vampire form an alliance with a non-magical person?" Mikhail inquired.
"In reality, it's quite common," Worple interjected.
"Is that so?" Mikhail asked, puzzled.
"Vampires often make pacts with non-magical individuals, offering them immortality in exchange for something they desire. However, most of these arrangements end with the demise of the non-magical party, as vampire poison is... well, poisonous to the majority of non-magical beings," Worple explained.
"What could a vampire possibly want from Florin?" Red pondered.
"Nothing at all... Those who engage in such pacts typically do it purely for their own amusement," Worple concluded.
"Then they must be partners! Last night, Florin must have realized that the vampire was just using him. They had an argument, and Florin shot him before making his escape!" Red exclaimed.
"Perhaps... Let's move on. Sirius, please tell us about the ward," Ludvik instructed Sirius.
"Well, it's a simple charm that my friends and I used to employ when we were fifteen. To pass through it, you need authorization from the person who created it. So, in this case, you must either be a vampire or be invited by one," Sirius explained.
"A sermo rindë?" Ludvik raised an eyebrow.
"Are you familiar with it?" Sirius inquired.
"I am. Wizards used to perform those around human houses when vampires roamed the country. Haven't you heard that vampires need to be invited into a house to enter it?" Ludvik responded.
"I have! It's a common trope in vampire movies!" Red chimed in.
"And it's actually good news. The ward is relatively simple to construct, but its power weakens over time, so it needs to be renewed eventually. Meanwhile, the castle becomes visible and therefore accessible. If we choose our moment wisely..." Ludvik trailed off.
"We could reach the castle," Denise finished his thought.
"If the ward's creator is skilled enough, the window of opportunity will last only a second. Therefore, we'll need to meticulously prepare our plan and keep a constant watch on the castle," Mikhail added.
"That will never work," Belby objected. "We could end up waiting for years before finding that brief opening."
"So, what do you suggest?" Worple inquired.
"I propose we obtain authorization to pass through," Belby stated.
"How?" Mikhail asked.
"He wants to turn us into vampires," Sirius sighed.
"Isn't that a bit extreme? How would you even do that?" Red questioned.
"Not all of us, just Black," Belby clarified before Ludvik interrupted the conversation, checking the time.
"We can discuss this further later. Sirius, I need your assistance with a personal matter," Ludvik said, standing up and gesturing for Sirius to follow him outside.
"What matter?" Denise asked curiously.
"By 'personal,' I mean it's a matter that doesn't concern you, little sister," Ludvik replied tersely.
As the late evening cast its warm glow, Sirius and Ludvik arrived at a sprawling vacant lot in the middle of nowhere, occupied with a number of old RVs. The makeshift camp exuded a lively atmosphere, with flickering campfires and strings of colorful lights illuminating the surroundings.
Amidst the scene, small groups of elderly men, their faces etched with wisdom and laughter lines, found respite on folding beach chairs. Their animated conversations blended harmoniously with the gentle breeze, infusing the air. Clutched in weathered hands were glasses filled with various libations, their clinking creating a joyful melody.
While the elders shared tales and exchanged hearty laughs, a delightful commotion enveloped the camp as energetic children darted through the open space, their carefree laughter and shouts of excitement rose with the lively football game that ensued, the children's nimble footsteps painting streaks of energy across the dusk-kissed canvas.
Ludvik took a decisive step forward, with Sirius steadfastly at his side, absorbing the vibrant scene with curiosity. Just as Ludvik advanced, a man of similar age emerged from the crowd, his arms waving with exuberance, beckoning Ludvik to join their gathering. Ludvik, reciprocating the man's warm invitation, mirrored his energy and responded with a nod of affirmation, then turned towards Sirius, "One moment, Sirius," Ludvik said.
"What are we doing here?" Sirius asked.
"As you already know, I'm facing some financial issues. To make ends meet, I'm forced to borrow money from individuals who have little regard for the source or destination of the funds. At least, less than the goblins," Ludvik explained.
"Alright," Sirius replied.
"So, I borrowed money from a rather strict man when it comes to repayment deadlines. Unfortunately, given the current circumstances, I haven't been able to meet those obligations," Ludvik admitted.
"That's not my problem, and I don't want to know," Sirius stated.
"I explained the situation to him, and although he initially expressed how he would make me eat my testicles if I failed to comply, he agreed to forgive my debt if we deliver a certain parcel to him," Ludvik said.
"We?" Sirius questioned, his brow furrowing. "Anyway, why doesn't he retrieve it himself?"
"Because, just like you, he's wanted by the police... Something related to aggravated assault and proxying," Ludvik explained, counting on his fingers.
"Apparate me back home, now!" Sirius demanded.
"Sirius! Help me with this, and I swear I'll return the favor! There's no problem. I've made all the arrangements! All we have to do is a simple delivery, have a drink with him, and maybe pretend to enjoy his guitar playing. That's it!" Ludvik pleaded.
"I don't believe you! Denise is right; you're a liar! And I don't even have my wand to defend myself, nor can I transform or Disapparate with this rubbish," Sirius exclaimed, angrily displaying his wrist.
"I forgot about that," Ludvik admitted. "If you help me, I promise to remove it."
"This is the only hold you have on me. What makes you think I won't just run away?" Sirius questioned.
"Because if you don't honor our deal, I'll hunt you down and make your death agonizing before moving on to Austria... Or maybe I'll start with Austria and make you watch," Ludvik said darkly, turning his back on him.
They strolled towards the man whom Ludvik had been invited to join earlier and were warmly greeted. The man embraced Ludvik before promptly presenting them with two glasses filled with a lustrous, golden-yellow liquid, insisting they take a sip. Sirius raised the glass to his lips and, as he drank, was met with a robust honey flavor on his palate.
"Sirius, meet Loukas," Ludvik introduced Sirius. "Loukas, this is Sirius. We're here to see Livio. We are expected."
"I know. He told me you'd show up... but he's currently occupied," Loukas informed them, just as a gunshot echoed from one of the mobile homes. "He's not occupied anymore. You guys can go ahead."
"Or we could return later," Ludvik suggested, observing a man dragging a lifeless body out of the caravan.
"NO! You get here NOW!" shouted a bald man from the caravan's doorway. He stood no taller than 5'5" and sported sunglasses along with a body adorned with prison tattoos.
"Livio! How have you been, my friend?" Ludvik greeted, approaching Livio to shake his hand. Then, he whispered something to him in Romanian, nodding in Sirius's direction, who kept his gaze fixed on the deceased individual being loaded into the trunk of a car.
"Let's get inside. I'd rather not do this before the kids," Livio said.
Sirius trailed behind Ludvik as they cautiously stepped into the dimly lit interior of the gypsy man's RV, being mindful of the low ceiling to avoid any head bumps. The space was an enchanting display of vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of nomadic life and capturing the spirit of the music playing outside.
As Sirius settled into a seat beside Ludvik on Livio's right, he couldn't help but notice with curiosity how Livio's head was bent low over the table, sniffing a line of cocaine. Suddenly, an electric surge coursed through Livio's veins, causing him to rise with a primal howl, his fists forcefully pounding on the table's surface. The room briefly shook with the eruption of his raw emotions. However, as swiftly as the outburst occurred, Livio transformed into a statue of stillness. His gaze locked straight ahead, fixed on some unseen horizon. Sirius and Ludvik exchanged concerned glances, their brows furrowed.
After a brief pause, he looked at them, a puzzled expression on his face, and asked, "Who the fuck are you? And what are you doing here?"
"Livio... It's me, Ludvik! We discussed meeting today... The delivery!" Ludvik exclaimed.
"Oh, yes! I just let you in! I remember now," Livio replied, facepalming. He then glanced at Sirius and inquired, "But you guys seem tense. Am I scaring you or something?"
"Well, you just killed someone," Sirius responded, receiving a disapproving look from Ludvik.
"What is your friend talking about? Who was killed? I didn't see anyone die. Did you see anything, Ludvik?" Livio asked, confused.
"Nothing. Sirius is just joking around; he has a sense of humor," Ludvik explained.
"Sirius, my friend, if you want to tell jokes, find yourself some friends! I'm not your friend! Ludvik, are we here to discuss business or not?" Livio asked.
"He didn't mean any disrespect, Livio. He's just unfamiliar with our surroundings," Ludvik defended.
"I didn't mean to, he didn't mean to, you didn't want him to... but he still did it! I thought respect was a universally valued principle among men. Am I wrong, Sirius?" Livio asked, pulling out his gun and pressing the barrel against Sirius' temple.
"Livio, please calm down!" Ludvik urged.
"Shut the fuck up, Balasko... I'm speaking to the Frenchie. Sirius, I'm going to ask you a question. If you give me the correct answer, I'll spare your life. If you provide the wrong answer, I won't hesitate to end you," Livio stated coldly.
"I'll do my best," Sirius replied calmly.
"You shouldn't be so calm. The guy you saw earlier gave the wrong answer," Livio cautioned Sirius.
"Go ahead, ask your question," Sirius responded.
"You think you're a real tough guy, huh? Okay... Do I look like a pussy?" Livio inquired.
"Yes, you do," Sirius answered.
"Lucky guess, but incorrect," Livio remarked, removing the gun from Sirius' temple and placing it on the table. "Maybe if you prove yourself, I'll start respecting you, Sirius. But as for you, Ludvik, that will never happen." Then, Livio muttered to himself, "I don't suck dicks... I'm an alpha male. I'm in control. My will surpasses everyone else's. Men wish to be me, and women want only me... All other men are sissies."
"Livio... Can we focus back on business?" Ludvik whispered.
"Yeah, let's go back to sissies," Livio replied, wiping his nose.
"What do you think of him?" Ludvik asked Livio, nodding towards Sirius.
"Why not... He could handle the job for one night," Livio replied, eyeing Sirius.
"Wait! Am I the merchandise?" Sirius questioned, glaring at Ludvik, who nodded in confirmation.
"Sirius, bend over, pull down your pants, and spread your ass," Livio said, searching through a box filled with pills and capsules of various colors. Sirius then lunged at Livio, gripping his hands around Livio's neck, until Ludvik pulled him back.
"I WAS JOKING!" Livio exclaimed, laughing.
"Sirius, he's just messing with you!" Ludvik reassured, trying to keep Sirius seated.
"You said he was funny! Do you really think I'd do that?" Livio asked.
"Livio, enough... Let's be serious for a moment," Ludvik insisted.
"Alright...", Livio said, tossing him an envelope, " It's scheduled for tonight. Bring it to the usual place, and I'll be waiting. Now, get lost," Livio ordered them, before resting his head on the table once again.
As soon as they stepped outside, Sirius seized Ludvik and pressed him against the caravan. "What the hell was that?" Sirius demanded, his grip tightening.
"Back off, you idiot! You're drawing attention to the entire camp!" Ludvik scolded, pushing him away.
The chatter and music around them ceased, all eyes fixed on the two of them. Ludvik motioned for Sirius to follow him, and they hurriedly left the camp. Sirius waited until they had distanced themselves enough and stopped Ludvik again.
"Now what?" Ludvik sighed in annoyance.
"What was that all about?" Sirius asked.
"I warned you about Livio. He's a dangerous man... In fact, when I cautioned you, I was concerned you might kill him. Given your background, I'm surprised you even agreed to be around Muggles," Ludvik explained.
"I'm not referring to that! I was talking about the merchandise... You know, me!" Sirius retorted.
"Black, if you're foolish enough to make a deal without inquiring about all the terms, you can only blame yourself," Ludvik stated.
"You're a despicable person! You're the most deceitful, dishonest man I've ever met, and..." Sirius shouted at him before suddenly collapsing to his knees, gasping for breath as his hands involuntarily tightened around his own neck.
"On the contrary, Mr. Black, I consider myself an honest man," Ludvik said, smiling at him. "And I suggest you remember that we are not friends... You are my prisoner, and I'm trying to make something out of you. So, you'd better start showing some gratitude."
"Take a moment to think about it. I could have drawn my wand and made Livio and his gang disappear... After all, he has many enemies, so no one would have delved too deeply into it. I owe him one, and magical or not, a deal is a deal! It must be honored no matter what. And you and I also have a deal! I advise you to uphold your end because I will fulfill mine," Ludvik said before releasing Sirius.
"You know, Black... I have nothing to prove to a murderer and a traitor... I observed you for quite some time before picking you up in Graz, and you're quite different from what I had envisioned. For some reason, I sense something within you that I can't quite grasp... That's the real reason why I haven't turned you over to the Aurors yet," Ludvik stated before walking away, leaving Sirius crawling in the mud, struggling to catch his breath.