Chapter 21: Baited Hook, Line and Sinker

Kaileena paid the man she had asked for information, oblivious to the usual gratitude and the tiresome refrain “pleasure doing business with you”. Normally she would have rolled her eyes and said something that bordered on sarcasm. But not this time. Alaric's words were still ringing in her ears. The thought that her parents, her only family, were actually alive....it was too good to be true. Finding Mordekai living as a vampire was a twist of fate at best. But this? It bordered on ludicrous fantasy. Regardless, she had to know the truth. She had to know if her parents truly lived. Thanking the man with a slight nod of gratitude, she pulled her hood over her face and disappeared into throngs of people flooding into town to either sell their wares to purchase from prospective merchants.

According to the information, a couple closely matching the hunter's description were staying at a hotel close to the local cemetery. In any other part of the world, having a resort so close to a garden of tombstones would have been considered madness. But this was Eastern Europe, a part of the world where nightmares and dreams were pretty much part of every day life. Still, she wouldn't know until she got to the hotel they were supposedly staying.

She could hear her phone buzzing incessantly in her pocket. She didn't bother answering it though. She already knew that it was Vincent trying to contact her. He was a stubborn man to begin with, but ever since that night in the palace, he had become fiercely overprotective. Did it have something to do with the current situation? Or was it something that ran deeper than she could comprehend? The phone vibrated again and she gritted her teeth. She hated herself for leaving him like that. But she couldn't get him involved. If this did turn out to be a trap, she didn't want his life hanging in the balance. Another vibration ran through her coat and she dipped her hand in her pocket. A quick press of the button and the phone stopped buzzing. She didn't want the thing going off while she was trying to get answers. I'm sorry, Vincent. But this is my affair. I have to do this alone.

It was a long and nerve-wracking five hour walk for her to reach the opulent building the man mentioned. She couldn't help but blink in surprise when she finally reached the location that had been given. The hotel seemed more like a Baroque palace than a tourist resort. She could barely see the gates to the local cemetery on the far side of the parking lot, obscured by the tall twelve metre high walls that surrounded the complex. It must have been a very old resort to be set within such a richly detailed architectural masterpiece such as this, a common sight in the cities and towns of this part of the world. If only the Western continents took such pride in their own city's history and heritage. But she couldn't dwell on the mistakes of humanity. She had come here for a reason. She took a deep breath and walked down the gravel path. The gardens were lush and abundant with roses so dark a red, they seemed black, a stark contrast to the misty green leaves and the verdant lawns that surrounded the estate. There was a relief above the large, ornate doors. Some kind of crest but it was too worn to discern whose it might have been. She pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

The hotel was a bustle of activity. Busboys were running to and fro pushing brass trolleys laden with luggage while tourists of varying ages, nationalities and classes gathered in the foyer. She saw the distinctive sun-hats and bright summer clothing mingled with the more muted tones of coats, gloves and beanies of those who had come expecting colder climes. It wasn't winter yet, but the chill in the air and the faint chains of mist flowing from the mouths and noses of the tourists definitely stated that it was not too far away. The sunlight may have been unforgiving, but the cold in this hard and harsh lands was far worse than the soft and light-hearted frivolity of an English Christmas. It was written on the faces of the locals, and those who had been living here for more than six months. She spotted the polished desk at the far side of the foyer and walked over to it, concealing her blade within the folds of her long, leather coat.

“Welcome to the Grand Hotel, Miss,” said the receptionist cheerfully. His baby blue eyes and strawberry blond hair seemed to speak of innocence but there was maturity in his gaze that spoke otherwise. “Are you here to make a booking?”

“No, Sir. I'm looking for a couple of guests that are lodging here,” she replied, forcing her mouth to form the names of her supposedly deceased parents. “An Archer Kenyon and Darlienne Svetlana.”

“Ah yes. I know those names. A very compassionate couple if I may say so myself.”

Her heart felt like it had frozen in her chest. “A-are you certain? There is no mistake in your booking?”

“Miss, we pride ourselves on accurate records of all the guests that lodge here,” said the man politely. “But may I ask why you are asking about them?”

She shook herself out of her daze. Now was not the time for shock. “I'm a friend of theirs. There has been a death in the family and I am here to relay the tragic news personally.”

“I see. My condolences for your loss, Miss. I will see if they are in their room now.”

“Thank you...”

She waited patiently as the clerk dialled the number to the room the couple were supposedly staying in. This couldn't be possible. How could they still be alive after what she had seen all those centuries ago? And why hadn't they tried to find her? She gritted her teeth slightly. If this turned out to be true, she could get the answers from them directly. And find out how they managed to escape inevitable death at Elizabeth's hands.

“They are not in their room at the moment, Miss. But I have it on great authority that they would most likely be talking a walk through the cemetery. They usually return before midnight though. If you are fortunate, you may find them near one of the town's mausoleums.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“My pleasure, Miss.”

She immediately turned on her heel and walked out of the foyer, her coat fluttering in the wind of her speed.

Within minutes of leaving the hotel, the tall, wrought-iron gates of the cemetery loomed into view. Rust clung to the black iron in patches and the crest of the one who had established this place of mourning had all but corroded away into a lump of metal, leaving one to wonder what kind of creature spoke of the founder's status and bloodline. The gate jammed, leaving a gap about half a metre wide as an entrance to the graveyard. So much for the upkeep of prospective public property. The hunter gritted her teeth in effort as she barely managed to squeeze through the gap. It was a tight fit at best, but once she was inside it was the last thing on her mind. She quickly weaved her way through the massive labyrinth of headstones and open plots, heading straight for her destination on the far side of the cemetery.

The mausoleum the hotel clerk had mentioned was one of the last crypts said to house the corpses of nobility. Dating back to the 15^th century at least, ivy clung to the worn marble pillars and rusted iron doors, forcing their way inside through the few cracks that had formed in the stone surface. The name plates were so worn that she couldn't see who was buried where but one grave stood out amongst the rest. On the far side was a large headstone, standing about five metres high with a gargoyle perched atop the narrow spire. It looked more like an obelisk, the names of the deceased carved into the marble at the very base. A fresh bouquet of black roses lay at the base. A symbol of tragic love lost. Was this a place of importance to them? She swallowed hard and moved to touch the seemingly smooth surface, to brush away the layer of dirt that coated the names beneath...

“Little One?”

She froze where she stood, her hand still outstretched. That voice....no...no, there's no way! She turned around slowly, daring to believe this was just a dream.

Standing there was a beautiful woman with long, wavy black hair and vibrant golden eyes. She was clad in a soft green dress adorned with gold braiding that seemed to ripple as she moved. There was a gentle smile on her elegant features and it caused the dhampir's heart to leap into her throat.

“It's really you, isn't it?” she croaked out. The woman nodded and held out her arms to the hunter. Her sword slipped out of her grasp, landing on the ground with a loud thud as she wandered aimlessly towards her. She reached out to touch the woman's hand. Her skin was so warm, so soft....Kaileena practically melted into her embrace. The woman wrapped her arms around the dhampir's trembling form, resting her chin on her hair. Tears began to well up in the hunter's eyes and she clung to the older woman as though dear life depended on her. Her body was wracked with sobs as she buried her face in the soft green velvet of the woman's gown.

“You're alive... you're really alive....Mother, I...” She couldn't find the words to express her joy and her disbelief.

“Shh, it's all right, Little One,” hushed the woman soothingly. “It's all right...I'm here now.”

Kaileena was so overwhelmed with happiness. She couldn't even move from where she was. All she could do was stand there, clinging to the woman that had been ripped away from her when she was only a child.

“You don't have to worry any more, my dear.” Darlienne said soothingly, her voice a warm and comforting lullaby. “You're safe.”

“I'm safe...” She felt all of her anger, all of her doubts and fears and worries fading. The woman's voice was just so soothing...so comforting.

“You can let go now.”

“Let go...”

“Yes, let everything go...let your life just vanish and start anew...”

“Let everything go...” She felt so tired all of a sudden. So sleepy. So....light...

“KAILEENA! GET AWAY FROM HER!”

A deep roar shattered her thoughts and she turned her head to see the vampire lord rushing towards her. His skin was smoking from where the last rays of daylight touched it and there was a fierce look in his eyes that was almost frightening. He had his katana drawn, rushing towards the pair as fast as he could.

“IT'S A TRAP!” he roared. “GET AWAY FROM HER! NOW!”

Kaileena sluggishly turned to ask why the vampire was acting like this. A sinister smile curved the woman's lips as long spines extended from her fingers and bore down on her. Vincent dipped his hand into his coat and threw something at the creature. A blinding flash of blue light filled the graveyard and the woman shrieked in pain, covering her eyes to shield them. He immediately grabbed the hunter and threw her out of the way before leaping back. Kaileena crashed onto the ground next to a headstone and raised her head sluggishly to gaze up at her mother.

The beautiful woman that had held her with such warmth was no longer there. Instead, a hideous, emaciated creature vaguely resembling a woman stood in her place. Her eyes were hollow sockets glowing with a violet light and razor-sharp fangs reminiscent of a serpent extended from her twisted lips. Spines as long as the hunter's forearm tipped her spidery fingers and she was clothed in a bloodied tattered shroud that barely gave her skeletal body form. The dhampir couldn't form the words to express her shock. Or even move. She was completely numb. The creature glared at the vampire with venomous hatred in its sockets.

“You have interfered for the last time, vampire!” hissed the creature, lunging at Vincent. The vampire lord danced out of the way, raising his blade to deflect the spines lashing out at him. Vincent channelled a bolt of energy into the long blade and sent it flying towards the creature, distracting her so he could get to the dhampir who seemed like she was staring a ghost. The thing glided out of the way but shrieked as the edge of the bolt seared her withered arm. She doubled over in pain and the vampire lord quickly moved to the hunter's side, grabbing her by the shoulders.

“Kaileena! Kaileena, take up your sword! We're in big trouble here!”

“My mother...” Her voice was a faint croak of shock, her eyes staring at nothing.

“Snap out of it! That thing isn't your mother, Kaileena.” snarled Vincent.

“My mother...she...”

“Would your mother wait over five hundred years to see if her only child still lived? Or would she go out and search for her? What would she do? Tell me!” The vampire lord shook the dazed dhampir violently. He heard something whistle through the air and he immediately threw Kaileena out of the way, whirling around to meet the attack head on. The creature screeched in rage and attacked him again, aiming for his face but he swiftly cut her hand off as he danced backwards. The creature looked at him with scorn in its hollow sockets.

“You would fight to save a half-breed?” hissed the thing. “She has slaughtered countless of your kind. Why not take revenge for the wrongs she has dealt you and be done with it?”

“Your tricks won't work on me,” growled Vincent.

“Then I'll slice you into pieces!” The creature shrieked and lunged for Vincent, determined to end his life.

~*~

Kaileena was blankly watching the battle from the spot Vincent had thrown her to. She was trying to make sense in her foggy brain of the vampire lord's rant earlier. Something about her mother. About what she would do for her daughter. Would my mother have waited? Would she have come for me? Why....why is he fighting her? She remembered her mother so clearly. That beautiful raven hair. Those shining amber eyes. The gold ring of garnet and amethyst sitting on her right hand...

Wait, didn't she always wear a ring on her left hand? And wasn't it a silver ring? She closed her eyes and a memory rose in her mind. A memory of her mother showing her the ring her father had given her before they eloped. An exquisite silver band with rubies and diamonds. Her mother had told her once that her father had said the rubies represented the passionate love he held for her. The diamonds a memoir of the starlit night he proposed to her. She never took the ring off, not even for a moment...and that ring still sat on her finger as she hung bleeding and limp in the countess's torture chamber. A jolt of something like electricity surged through Kaileena's body and her soul began screaming at the memories. The broken and bloodied bodies of both her parents. Both of them dead, slaughtered like animals. Clarity returned to her, but also an intense and demonic rage. Her sword lay near her hand and she gripped it tightly. Rising to her feet, she saw Vincent valiantly fighting the creature that aimed to cut him down. You...you sent this thing after me...to lure me...to torture me...I will... Her grip tightened and she opened her eyes, brilliant crimson blazing with fury. I will kill you!

~*~

Vincent could feel his body slowing down as he fought the creature. But she found an opening and swiped at him with the stub of her arm. He was thrown onto the ground a few feet away, the sword flying from his grasp and landing far out of his reach. He glared at the creature as it bore down on him. It had the manic look of a predator eager to finish off its prey and its laughter was like glass scraping metal. The thing was strong, fast and hard to read. It seemed like a wraith but moved quickly and fluidly like a serpent intent on its prey. He didn't know what to class this thing as. Nevertheless, with Kaileena out of commission, he had to do something to keep it off her back. He moved to get to his feet but the thing was on him faster than he could blink. It stepped on his hands and pinned him down, sneering at him.

“No where to run, vampire. I'll make sure to save the biggest piece for your pet dhampir!” She raised her free hand, long spines extending from the fingers. He glared at the thing, refusing to let it have the satisfaction of begging for his life. If he was to die, he would die without fear, the only regret in his heart being that he wasn't able to get to Kaileena in time...

A scream unlike anything human shattered the dusk air. At first, he had thought it was the creature crowing in triumph but she looked as shocked as he did. A ghastly aura flooded the graveyard, almost paralysing him where he lay. It was beyond anything human, and beyond anything that a vampire could unleash. A violent wind kicked up behind him and he turned towards the source of that terrible presence.

Kaileena was bearing down on the creature with frightening speed, her blade raised and shimmering with a deadly miasma that seemed to emanate from the sword itself. Her lips were curled back into a bestial snarl and her eyes were brilliant crimson orbs blazing with a hell-fire that would send even the most hardened demon running for the hills. He could feel his own body trembling at the sight. The thing completely forgot about Vincent and immediately rushed at the hunter who continued to close the distance between them. A look of triumph lit up its hideous face as she raised her spines to finish her off. But then shock writ itself upon the features of both the creature and the vampire lord as the hunter seemed to vanish. Where did she go?

A vicious silver arc painting the night, slashing the creature in two as a violent gust kicked up from behind it. The thing shrieked but the cry was short-lived as Kaileena materialised in from the side and ran the thing through the chest. She glared at the creature with hellish rage as it stared in shock at the dhampir standing before her.

“You're....what the hell are you?”

“Shut up and f*****g die.”

She ripped the blade out of the thing's chest and severed her head from her body in a merciless arc. Black blood painted the hunter's body and spattered her face, a stark contrast to her vivid red eyes. Vincent couldn't help but stare at her. Such inhuman ability and demonic rage...it was no wonder vampires and demons feared her. The violent wind finally died and the crimson glare faded, green eyes brimming with tears gazing down at the bloody corpse. She flicked the blood off her sword and sheathed it, glancing over at the vampire lord who was climbing to his feet.

“...You knew, didn't you?”

“Not until I got here.”

She glanced back at the corpse. “Those rumours....this thing must have taken my mother's form and spread them amongst the townspeople. That's how Alaric got wind of it.” She clenched her fist. “She must have sent it. No one else but me knew what Mother looked like.”

“It's a good thing I got here when I did.”

“How could I have been so blind? I should have recognised a glamour when it happened. I was completely enthralled by her. I actually believed my mother was still alive.” She gritted her teeth in anger and then turned to him. “You shouldn't have come here. You put yourself in danger when you didn't need to!”

“And leave you to die?”

“Better I die than have someone else's blood on my hands.”

“Why do you insist on doing this alone?” demanded Vincent. “Are you really that scared of Elizabeth that you would rather face her by yourself?”

“It's not just her I'm scared of!” snapped Kaileena. “You saw what happened to me back in London. You saw what happened just then. What if I lose my control again and hurt an innocent? What if I hurt you?”

“Is that why you wanted to seek the truth on your own?”

She turned away from him, unable to voice her thoughts further. After a time, she raised her head and looked up at the sky. “...I don't want to see someone close die in front of me again.”

“Kaileena...”

She sighed and glanced over at him. “I'm sorry. I should have been more direct with you. But...you know the life I lead, Vincent. I have to see danger around every corner. And the fact that I showed weakness at a time where I can't afford to...”

“In spite of what you think of yourself, you're not a mindless monster.”

She raised her head to stare at him.

“I don't know your life. I don't even know you that well. But I know that no pain is greater than suffering alone.” Vincent walked up to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Everyone has their moments of vulnerability. It doesn't make you weak. It proves your humanity.”

She blinked in surprise and then smiled. “I never thought I'd ever heard those words from a vampire but...thank you.”

Vincent smiled back and moved to pick up his sword. Something rose from behind him and her eyes widened. It's still alive?!

“Behind you!” She shoved him out of the way as soon as the thing lashed out with her claws. She immediately drew her blade and moved to finish the creature once and for all.

Vincent grabbed his forgotten blade and whirled around to help Kaileena. He froze in place, fear flooding his body like a cold wave.

The thing lay limp on the dhampir's sword but the hunter seemed to be frozen in place. A long fleshy tube protruded from the creature's chest, burying itself in Kaileena's shoulder. It pulsed grotesquely, something black flowing through the long narrow tubing. She gathered the strength to sever the tube and the thing fell to the ground, crumbling into ash. She ripped the rest of the tubing away from her body in disgust, her nose wrinkling at the stench.

“Son of a b***h. That was a dirty move.”

“Are you all right?”

“It's nothing. Just a last ditch effort to take me out.” She rose to her feet and turned to him. “Let's get back to Alaric. I don't want to look at this place anymo-”

Kaileena doubled over, coughing violently. Her sword fell from her grasp as she tried to control the way her body was retching.

“Kaileena? What's wrong?” His body went cold as he saw the blood dripping from between her fingers, painting dark blotches on the ground. She raised her head and staggered over to him. Her legs buckled and he rushed over to her, catching the dhampir in his arms.

“What's wrong? Talk to me!”

“I'm sure it's nothing but...” She looked at Vincent, reaching up to cradle his face in her hand. Blood smeared on his cheek. “Do you think you can take me to Alaric? I don't think I can walk right now...”

“All right. It could be just that your body is slow to heal at the moment. Get you in the dark and you should be fine.”

“My thoughts....exactly...” Her eyes slid shut and her body went limp in his arms.

“Kaileena? Kaileena!” He immediately put his ear to her chest. Her heartbeat was still strong but erratic. He picked up their swords and lay them in her arms, lifting her up and carrying her to the entrance he'd come from. He couldn't waste any time. In spite of Kaileena's reassurance that it was a minor illness for a dhampir, he was unable to believe her. Something was very wrong.

Please be all right. With that silent prayer in his heart, he raced through the tunnel and retraced his steps to Alaric's lair.