Dulce Periculum
I was already inside the house, making sure to close all the windows and any other access points. I double-checked everything and turned on her computer. Windows again. I restarted the machine several times to enter troubleshooting mode and reset the password. Normally, I can use any computer remotely thanks to my abilities, but I still need the devices to be active to function. Without electricity, there's no party.
I sat down while keeping an eye on her sleep, checking her browsing history and all her accounts. Nina Petrov had many email accounts through which she communicated with the Russian mafia and other smuggling groups, but something didn't add up. She used to ask a lot of questions and, according to her documents, she had informants to infiltrate those groups. It seemed that Nina wasn't looking to do business but rather to contact someone specific.
Among her papers, there were books in Russian, which I could translate using her computer and the internet. I realized it was a book very similar to the one Mrs. Schneider had in her personal library in Himmelsburg. Mrs. Schneider's book talked about the foundation of the cult, its participants, the rituals, and the macabre experiments they carried out in the Himmelsburg castle.
As I rummaged through her belongings, I saw family photos and pictures of her with her dog. She didn't seem to have a partner or children. Suddenly, I stopped when I saw a photo of her father. Could it be him? It seemed my hunches were right. Her father, named Nikolai Petrov, was a renowned scientist specialized in genetics but with extensive knowledge in various scientific fields like chemistry, physics, and human anatomy. Mr. Petrov had disappeared during an expedition to Siberia. "Oh, Siberia, so many vampires hiding in your beautiful landscapes," I sarcastically said to myself. Siberia is like a highway for many nomadic vampires. I have no idea why it's so frequented, but I suppose it's a more secluded and less troublesome place for vampires.
Suddenly, she began to wake up. I didn't know if I should interrogate her; all it took was for her to scream, and she would call all the guards. I could silence her, but any wrong move would end her life, and I couldn't afford that.
Nina gets up and goes to get a glass of water, and suddenly she notices that her computer is on, revealing all the evidence that incriminates her for financing criminal organizations operating in Russia and Asia.
"So, this is your work..." I say sarcastically. I don't know why I didn't turn off the computer and hide, then leave through the window. But part of me wanted to confront her with the evidence in hand, something my former boss, Commissioner Klein, loved to do. I don't even know if this woman knows how to speak English; I only assumed it based on her relationship with international organizations, in addition to being a wealthy businesswoman.
She looks at me coldly, and I can tell she wants to call the police or the guards, but she fears what I might do. "Who... who are you? Get out of my house... or I'll call..."
"The police? I'd think twice before doing that, just take a look at your computer. Although maybe you've already paid off some buddies."
"What do you want? Do you want to kill me? Do you want money? Are you an assassin?" she responds, stuttering but attempting to intimidate me. "Whatever you came here to do, just do it already..."
"I come in search of answers, Miss Petrov. I believe you must know something about the cult known as the Bloody Moon. You see, they have caused a lot of harm to my family and me, and I need to know what your role is in all of this. I am not with them; otherwise, I would have already killed you if I were an assassin."
"How the hell did you get in here? How did you disable the alarms? You know that if I scream, the guards will come and beat you up! Where is my dog?"
"Miss Petrov, your dog is on the rooftop and is safe. If you call the guards, I will be forced to do something I wouldn't like at all. If you're not going to cooperate, I will withdraw, and we'll leave this. It's not worth it anymore..."
Just as I was about to slowly leave through the window, she interrupts me. "What do you know about the cult? What do you know about... the vampires?" I turn slowly towards her and say:
"I know many things, but not enough. So, in the end, you do know something, don't you?"
The girl breaks down in tears and falls to her knees. "I'm trapped in this mess because I just want to find my father. He has been missing since last year, and I don't know where I can find him... Did you work with him? Do you know where he is? Do you know if he's dead? Please, tell me you know something..."
"I can only tell you that the Bloody Moon cult had something very dangerous in their possession that could endanger humanity. I don't know if they are still active. But I'll tell you something to gain your trust: I was the one who attacked the laboratory last year."
"The police won't find him..." she responds. "My father is involved in something so deep, I don't know what to believe anymore. The last time we communicated was through this phone a few months ago. He told me about vampires, experiments, an underground group with the name you just mentioned. He told me not to call him anymore or investigate further, that they are being hunted down and eliminated, that his life and mine are in danger."
This girl was desperate. She might think that I simply wanted to kill her, but it seems she has no more hope left. She's so trapped in this mess that she has no one else to trust.
"Don't worry, I won't harm you or your pet. I understand that I'm not any guarantee, but to prove to you that I'm not your enemy or your father's enemy, I'll bring your dog back to you," I assured her.
I climbed back up to the rooftop and picked up the small trembling dog every time I approached. This time, I was much more careful and made sure to descend cautiously. I handed her the chihuahua in her arms.
"Please don't take off his leash until I'm gone. Tell me about your father," I requested.
"Oh God, little one... you're shaking," she said to her pet.
"It's the reaction animals have when they're near a v..." I bit my tongue, trying not to provide any further details. She widened her eyes in shock.
"What an idiot!" I thought to myself. Being someone with an IQ above 150, I can sometimes be quite clumsy.
"That's why I felt a strange sense of calm around you. My father told me, you're one of them..." she said.
It wasn't typical of me to play at enchanting people, but I had to get closer to her and try to seduce or charm her, something I usually didn't do. I had to see if she had any information that would be useful to me. Finding the scientist could be key to locating Anastasia or dealing with other vampires more effectively. So, I approached slowly, trying to look her in the eyes and calm her down.
"My family and acquaintances fell victim to that cult, to the vampires. Your father, with his knowledge, could help me in my own investigation, and I could protect him. Please," I pleaded.
Under the moonlight, she gazed into my golden eyes. I could hear her heart beating faster, how she grew nervous. But it wasn't fear, rather fascination. Now I understood what Od had mentioned about vampires' ability to attract humans. I remembered his words well: "Every part of a vampire is inherently made to attract a human, from our physical appearance, our voice, even our scent." I noticed her getting closer to me, she definitely wanted to kiss me, I sensed her neck, her shoulders, and the smell of her blood.
At that moment, I knew I had gotten too close. I realized I wasn't trained to resist the smell of human blood. I took a few steps back. Although I had just fed on some rats and pigeons I found around, the temptation of human blood was too strong for a vampire, especially if not well trained.
As if emerging from an almost hypnotic trance, she asked, "What's wrong? Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"
Unlike her, the poor little dog was on the verge of a heart attack. So, she placed it in a closet further away from her penthouse. "Well, um... what do you need to know?" I shook my head and began.
"Alright, um... I need you to tell me everything you have discovered so far," I said, feeling more comfortable.
Now that she felt more at ease, she began recounting the entire story of the cult, its evolution over the years, and her encounters with vampires.
According to manuscripts similar to those Mrs. Schneider had in Himmelsburg, the cult was founded by the family of a count who had enriched himself during the Crusades. After the cult was dissolved by a general and the church, the leaders were executed. However, some manuscripts survived, and those involved managed to escape, establishing branches throughout Eurasia.
"Have you heard of Gilles de Rais and Countess Bathory? In my research, they were prominent followers of the cult and helped keep their investigations alive," she added.
"The cult never really had a centralized operation until the 80s. That allowed for when one place closed, another would appear later. They eventually made breakthroughs with a substance called adrenochrome. The adrenochrome the cult developed during that decade referred to a substance extracted from the blood of certain individuals. My father was working in genetics back then, studying the properties of blood and how it changes with age. This kind of adrenochrome was distributed among the global elite and was supposed to have rejuvenating properties. Many lives were sacrificed, especially young ones," she concluded.
Phew, I thought to myself, "More strange inventions about the cult. What other hidden things might they have?" Then she continued:
"Since then, my father distanced himself and separated from my mom. He left us, but I kept in touch with him for a couple more years. When my mom died of cancer, he had almost completely lost contact and only sent me money, a lot of money. I don't have any more information than that, just what you've already read and probably extracted from my computer," she said with a touch of resignation.
"There wasn't much on your computer, actually," I replied. "But your phone could be very helpful... I promise to call you or send you a message as soon as I find out his whereabouts," I assured her.
"Here you go... I have nothing left to lose, and I'm too deep in this hole. I've gotten involved with people who are too dangerous, and my days are probably numbered. My only solace is that I can find him alive and hear his voice one last time... Thank you," she said with sadness in her eyes.
I took the phone, and she gave me one final hug. She started to cry, and I felt uncomfortable, but I could understand her. There is nothing more valuable than the people who love you, your friends, your family. I simply patted her on the back and gave her one last look before leaving through the window. She smiled at me, and we bid farewell in silence, hoping that our encounter could help her in some way.