A Different Kind of Vampire

Chapter 5

The eight of them sat in the living room in silence. They knew that the three vampires were still outside, and none of them wanted to check, afraid of seeing the trio.

Lovino was curled up on the couch, trying to control his terror of having his tormentors so close once again. He wondered if he would ever be free of them. He didn’t even care that he appeared weak in front of the others. He just wanted them gone.

Vlad was sitting in the armchair, head c****d slightly as though he was listening to something. He would occasionally get a frown on his face, but overall he remained completely still.

Hans had been given a few papers and pencils, and he busied himself with a few drawings. Feliciano and Alfred seemed to be having trouble keeping quiet, but whenever Vlad would frown they found it a lot easier to do so.

Finally, Alfred couldn’t take it anymore.

“Can you actually hear them?” he asked.

“Da,” Vlad said, not moving. “They’re debating the pros and cons of committing arson.”

“They’re not going to…?” Matthew began, eyes wide.

“Not at the moment. They want to determine how many other vampires are around before they continue. One thing you should know is that when it comes to prey, vampires can be very possessive. They don’t want to share with anyone.”

“They had no problem sharing me,” Lovino said.

“It’s because they thought you were the only one like you. They’ve also been together for a long time, and covens tend to be a lot more open to sharing than other vampires.”

“If they find out that all of us are like that…” Marcello began.

“So, when’s that buddy of yours supposed to show up?” Jason interrupted.

“He said he’d be here before dawn, although knowing Feliks, something’ll happen and he’ll end up late,” Vlad said.

“How well do you think he can fare against three vampires?” Matthew asked.

“Vampires are creatures of death. Feliks is a creature of life. His scent alone would keep them away. He’s not prey to them. Then, if he starts to get serious, they wouldn’t even be able to touch him. Feliks can manipulate fire, and it’s not uncommon to find him snoozing inside of a volcano.”

“Burning’s one of the classic ways of killing vampires,” Lovino said, understanding dawning on him. “What exactly is he?”

Vlad smirked, before he turned to look at Lovino.

“Feliks is a phoenix.”

…

The four vampires had split up, going along the houses, smelling and sensing the occupants. They were searching for a house that had three more occupants than it did the previous night.

‘I think I found it,’ Patrick informed the rest.

They had all switched direction and gone towards where Patrick was. And it didn’t take them long to figure out why he said that.

In front of the house were three other vampires, and they seemed to be discussing ways to get inside. They could also sense that there were more occupants in the house than they had been expecting.

However, Arthur had turned his attention to one of the other vampires, recognition in his green eyes. Recognition was soon replaced by anger and hatred.

“You,” he snarled.

The other three turned to regard the newcomers, and one of them immediately gained the same expression on his face.

“What the hell?!” he shouted.

…

Vlad had been keeping an ear out for the vampires outside. He had heard the four newcomers approach, and had heard the words spoken. Out of curiosity, he went towards the window and peeked outside.

His face immediately gained an amused smirk.

“What is it?” Feliciano asked.

“It seems that the Kirkland brothers have figured out where to look for you three,” Vlad said, turning to Alfred, who immediately looked panicked.

“Then why are you smiling?” Alfred asked, a suspicious look on his face.

“I’m going to give you a little history lesson,” Vlad said. “Captain Antonio Fernandez Carriedo was a captain in the Spanish Armada. His ship was attacked, his crew captured, and he was basically humiliated by the pirate captain Arthur Kirkland. So Carriedo left the Armada to become a pirate, hoping to get revenge on Arthur. It was a war between the two. They had gained the attention of two different vampires. One sired Carriedo, and the other sired Kirkland, who then sired his lookout, first mate and navigator, which also happened to be his brothers. The two hated each other in life, and it seems as though they were unaware of the other being vampires. Until now.”

“How the hell didn’t they know about each other?” Jason asked, approaching the window.

The teen burst out into laughter when he saw one of the vampires that stalked them being held back by the other three, and the same thing was happening to the other group.

“Wish we know what they were saying,” Jason said.

“I had to muffle it further for your sake,” Vlad explained. “I don’t think Roddy would appreciate his son hearing that kind of language, and I know that he won’t come himself, so he’ll send Elizabeta. And the two of us have more reason to hate each other than the two former pirates do.”

“What exactly happened between the two of you?” Hans asked.

“Let’s just say, it was hate at first sight. Anything that happened after that would take weeks to explain.”

“This is…” Jason started, a grin on his face, before he yelped, backing up.

Vlad frowned, before he looked back towards the window, seeing what the American had seen. One of the vampires had turned his attention to the window, and was looking straight at them.

“Calm down,” Vlad muttered. “We don’t know if he could do anything. Let’s step away.”

He let the curtain cover the window again, and he and Jason returned to their seats.

…

“Could you just shut it?!” Alistair snarled at last.

The two vampires that looked as though they wanted to slaughter each other calmed down somewhat, before they looked towards the Scotsman.

“At least we know our prey is inside,” William said, staring at the window. “There was someone else as well. Judging by the red eyes, I’d say he was a vampire.”

“Strawberry blond hair with a little top hat?” Francis asked, and the Welshman nodded. “Looks like he hasn’t left yet.”

“Do you know him?” William asked.

“Ja, we’ve met him,” Gilbert said. “He wouldn’t give us his name, or even his nickname. The Arschloch said he has no interest in drinking human blood.”

“Then he’s no threat,” Patrick said.

“You’re wrong,” Francis said. “He is physically stronger than both of mes amis. He managed to pin them both at the same time. He’s also pretty clever.”

“Not to mention a wolfwalker,” Gilbert added. “And he has…”

“He has wings,” Antonio said.

“What?” Arthur asked. “But… Only the strongest or oldest vampires have them.”

“Si. Also, his blood is toxic to vampires.”

“And it’s silver,” Francis added.

“I’ve never heard of anything with silver blood, least of all vampires,” Arthur said. “Do you know if he has magic?”

“Considering the flock of birds he summoned against us,” Francis said, “I’d say that’s a strong possibility.”

“Interesting,” Arthur said, smirking. “Do you think he’d come out for a little chat?”

“From the smell of things, he has seven humans inside,” Gilbert said. “Not going to happen easily.”

“William?”

The Welshman smirked, and William and Arthur went forwards, towards the window.

Before they could knock on the window, the curtains parted, revealing the red eyes. The other was staring at them impassively.

“You seem to be able to hear us perfectly,” Arthur said. The other nodded. “What about you join us outside and we can have a little chat?”

The other didn’t respond, though the curtains fell in front of the window again.

“Now what?” Gilbert asked.

“Tell me something,” Arthur said. “Have you ever heard of the ‘siren’s march’? William is particularly good at it. If you don’t come out, we’ll let those humans inside come out instead, and there’s really no guarantee that they would be able to get out of it. We’ll give you five minutes.”

…

Vlad gritted his teeth. He heard what the other had said, and he knew that he was asking for trouble. It was only ten at night, and there was still a long time until morning.

“What is it?” Feliciano asked.

“They want me to go outside,” Vlad said. “If I don’t comply, they’ll use magic to lure you out instead. I don’t have to explain what could happen.”

“But, why do they want you outside?” Matthew asked.

“Because they know I’m pretty powerful,” Vlad said. “They’re either going to try to negotiate with me, or try to kill me and claim my power for themselves. It can happen, and it’s one of the reasons why there weren’t so many vampires until after the outbreak. It’s why minor vampires wouldn’t dare attack those that have been around for a long time, like our friends outside.”

“And what if they kill you?” Lovino asked, looking wide-eyed at the vampire.

“It’s not going to happen,” Vlad said.

“You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?” Alfred sneered.

“Will you believe me when I say I have a plan?”

…

The seven vampires were waiting impatiently for Vlad to make his choice. William was preparing the spell, but right before he used it, the door opened and closed rapidly, leaving Vlad standing in front of it.

Vlad looked towards the vampires, trying to shake off the disgust he felt with the hungry looks he received.

“Well,” Arthur said, “you seem to have an unusual scent. Just like those humans you’re… I’m not quite sure what you’re doing to them.”

“Guarding,” Vlad said.

“Really?” Alistair asked. “Because I find it hard to see that. What if the hunger hits you?”

Vlad scoffed.

“I’ve been sleeping in a church for twenty years,” Vlad said. “If that doesn’t bring the hunger, nothing will.”

“Then why are you staying with those humans?” Arthur asked. “Where’s the benefit for you?”

“Let’s just say, I have no sympathy for the way this world has become. Vampires were meant to remain in the shadows. Not do what you have been doing.”

“Then why don’t you do something about that?” Francis asked, smirking.

“I just might,” Vlad said. “But I’d rather not attract too much attention to myself.”

“And why not?” Arthur asked. “According to these three, you’re pretty powerful. You might be able to rival Dracula’s legacy.”

Vlad scoffed, before he started to chuckle, before it became full-out laughter. The other vampires looked at him in confusion.

“Dracula?” he asked. “You’re comparing me to Dracula?”

“I take it you don’t like him very much,” Patrick said.

“On the contrary. He’s the only one of my children that I didn’t end up hating.”

“What?!” the other vampires roared.

Vlad calmed down, but smirked.

“That’s right,” he said. “I sired Dracula. It was one of those deal-sires. I sired him so that he could do something. Protect his family, his people… Once his promise was fulfilled, he waited for the dawn’s light.”

“That’s not what we heard,” Arthur said.

“If you’re referring to the book by Bram Stoker – that’s fiction. I am, and will always be, the only witness to the events that transpired there. Even Dracula’s own children – the few that are still around – have no idea of the events that transpired. Not everything, at least.”

“You’re bluffing,” Gilbert said.

“Then why don’t you see for yourselves?” Vlad asked. “Oh wait, you can’t touch my blood. It’s toxic to you.”

“Just how the hell did that happen, anyway?”

“Piss off a few angels, mess with a few demons… I’m honestly not sure anymore.”

Vlad was lying. He knew full well why his blood was like that, but he wouldn’t tell the vampires. He had gotten into enough trouble because of his blood.

“How old are you, to be able to play on the same field as higher beings?” Arthur asked.

“‘Higher beings’?” Vlad barked in laughter. “You’re joking. They aren’t higher beings. Stronger, maybe, but not higher. They have their rules to live by, and neither an angel nor demon could cross the line.”

“You didn’t answer our question,” Alistair said. “How old are you?”

Vlad smirked.

“I’d rather keep my exact age a secret,” he said. “Just know that I’m older than all of you combined.”

“Now I can’t help wondering what you want with those humans,” Alistair said. “You said you’re guarding them. Why bother? Unless those humans are… something special.”

“Which would explain their scents,” Patrick said. “Well now. That’s interesting. You wouldn’t happen to know if there are any more like them, would you?”

Vlad’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Da, but I’m not telling you what’s so special about them,” Vlad said.

“Figures,” Arthur said. “But tell me, do they trust you?”

Vlad narrowed his eyes even more. He knew exactly where this was going.

While they had been speaking, William and Antonio had crept around, and were now on either side of Vlad. Vlad was completely aware of them, of course, but didn’t do anything to acknowledge them.

At least, not until the two of them pounced.

Vlad was faster, and darted forward to avoid the other two. But that gave the others the cue to attack.

Inside, the humans were watching, and they stared in horror as the seven vampires attacked Vlad. Vlad tried his best to dodge them, contemplating whether or not to summon his wings, but he screamed when a fireball collided with his back. He turned to see William creating another.

Vlad’s eyes widened, and he decided to put some distance between himself and the other vampires. He summoned his wings, and with a mighty flap he was in the air, avoiding the fireball.

“Bloody hell,” Arthur said, staring at Vlad’s wings.

When a vampire usually had wings, they resembled those of a bat. Not a bird.

Vlad hovered in the air for a while, trying to recover. He was not a fighter. Never had been, and never would be. The only reason he knew what he knew about combat was because he didn’t want to make it easier for Elizabeta.

“Where are you?” he muttered, eyes discreetly scanning the area.

He gasped when he felt something curl around his ankle, and he looked down to see a root. Before he could do anything about it, though, electricity coursed through his body, causing him to cry out in pain.

“That’s the benefit of magic,” Arthur said, looking towards Antonio with a smug expression.

Vlad allowed the root to wither away, but it had done his job in allowing his wings to pause, bringing him down to the earth once again. And no sooner had he landed than Gilbert, in his wolf form, pounced on him, biting the base of his left wing, earning yet another cry from Vlad.

“What the hell is he doing?” Lovino asked, eyes wide. “Come on, I know you can take those bastards.”

“He’s stalling,” Jason said.

“What?”

“He’s holding back, and he keeps looking around. He’s stalling.”

“But what’s he waiting for?”

“You know,” Alfred said, looking oddly at Lovino, “you seem to be pretty protective of that vampire.”

“The bastard saved me from a living hell. I owe him that much.”

Vlad grunted as he was punched in the stomach, before he was pushed to the ground. Before he could stand, Antonio was looming over him, a stake in his hands. That was when he realised that the Kirkland brothers had used their magic to create the weapon.

“Any last words?” Antonio asked, smirking.

“You’re going to regret this,” Vlad said, his own smirk on his face.

Antonio’s eyes narrowed, before he pushed the stake into Vlad’s heart.

Vlad cried out in pain, and the other vampires were celebrating their victory, until a few seconds passed and they realised that Vlad wasn’t turning into dust.

Suddenly, the vampires were pushed away from Vlad by an invisible force, and they looked up to see three other figures looming over him. One of them stepped forward, dressed in black, and he crouched down next to Vlad.

“I thought you didn’t like fighting?” the other asked.

“And I thought you’re not allowed to save someone’s life,” Vlad said, smirking.

Dimitri rolled his eyes, before he pulled the stake out, causing Vlad to cry out in pain once again.

“Considering the fact that you can’t die, I’m not breaking any rules,” Dimitri said.

“What the hell?!” Antonio shouted, forcing himself to his feet.

“He has one of the most advanced healing abilities in heaven, earth and hell,” one of the others, Klara, explained. “So advanced, in fact, that he cannot die, no matter what is used against him.”

“But we still don’t appreciate someone trying to kill our friend,” the last figure, Samuel, said.

“How’d you even get here?” Arthur asked.

“And what the hell are you?” Alistair asked.

“‘It doesn’t matter if you’re a king or a sweeper’,” Klara quoted.

“‘Everyone dances in front of the Reaper’,” Samuel finished.

The three then summoned their wings, but unlike Vlad’s pitch black, they were an ash grey. They also each summoned scythes.

“Get inside,” Dimitri said, looking towards Vlad.

“D-da,” he said, going as fast as he could with his wound until he was at the door.

He paused, before he stuck his tongue out at the vampires, and ducked inside the house.

“What the hell?” Lovino roared, rushing towards Vlad.

“Get away from the window,” Vlad said calmly. “Angels of death don’t like it if they have an audience.”

“Angels?” Feliciano asked. “But… their wings…”

“Different angels have different features,” Vlad said. “Angels of death have grey wings. Angels of war have white wings with red tips. Angels of music have tattoos carved on their back in blue. Nephilim have wings in different shades of grey…”

“You mean we can get wings?” Alfred asked.

“Da. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower to get this blood off me.”