Wulf's Redemption (Borne Vampires Book 3) (16 page)

Taking the offered cup Herrick held out to her, Kai
felt the story had merit. “Sounds good to me. Who wants to call the cops?”

✝✝✝

The gypsies were reluctant to volunteer, which
didn’t surprise Alex. Gypsies usually wanted nothing to do with local
authorities, tracing back to more than a thousand of years of false accusations
and prejudice.

Having no other choice, he grudgingly accepted the
task. “I’ll call them. Since Wulf Manor is technically in my name still, I
should be the one to report the murders.” He pulled out his cellphone and
dialed the emergency code. “I need to report ten bodies found on my property.
Yes, I am quite certain they are dead. Their throats have been torn out, so
yes, they are dead. At Wulf Manor. I am Alexander Wulf.” He hung up and slipped
the cellphone in his back pocket.

Herrick
offered him a cup of the dark, spicy-smelling brew, and he gladly accepted it.
Taking a sip, he nodded his approval. “Excellent ale.”

Grinning
proudly, Herrick replied, “We brew it ourselves and sell it at the markets and
festivals.”

Sipping the delicious ale, he watched Herrick’s
family, saw in their grim expressions the gypsies were afraid, and it was
because of him that they were in danger.

“Herrick, I am truly sorry you and your family had
to witness such death.”

Somber,
he sighed. “I wish my grandchildren had not seen the dead. Their innocent
belief in a good world is forever gone. Monsters are real to them, as they
became real for me when I was a lad. Still, we raised them to respect life as
well as death. They will adjust. Like we had after the war.”

Memories
of when he had first met the gypsy flooded back. Seventy years ago and it was
as if it were only yesterday when World War II broke out, destroying majority
of Europe. So much destruction he had witnessed, yet none compared to the Final
Solution, Hitler’s decision to wipe out those deemed unworthy to exist. The
Nazis were eager to dispense their duties against unarmed men, women, and
children. So eager to torture, to brutalize the innocent whose only guilt were
being born to another race, creed, and religion. Those who were escorting
Herrick’s clan to the gas chambers were especially brutal and eager to prove
they were the superior race.

“I
cannot forget the night you saved us either,” Herrick said quietly.

Startled
Herrick knew what he was thinking, he stared into the flames. “I was not sent
to save you. I was sent to ensure the sentence of death was carried out.”

“What?”
Herrick hadn’t expected that.

Before
he could explain, the young gypsy girl rose to her feet and stared into the
fire, as if she was in a trace. “It was punishment for your disapproval of the
Fuehrer’s master plan to rid the world of the ‘inferior’ races. Your commander
found you useful in leading raids against the Borne, so he offered you a
solution to redeem yourself. He knew your history with the Roma, he told you to
escort them to the gas chambers, and you would be reinstated in Berlin. You
accepted the orders, except you were not going to kill them, you went to save
them.”

 
“The
prisoners were mostly women and children, elderly. On the march, the captain
and his men raped our women, beat the old ones, tortured us, and starved us.”
Mary looked straight at him, surprising Alex even more. “Master was ordered to
kill us. Instead, he used sword and fist, refused to take their tainted blood,
and killed those soulless bastards, avenging us. After the last of the soldiers
was disposed of and dumped in the forest, Master commanded us to take their
weapons and make our way to Wulf Manor. We did as Master bade. Took us a week
to get here, but we made it. It was as if we had a guardian angel watching over
us.”

Guardian angel. A derisive laugh nearly escaped
him. Not exactly what he’d call himself. Alex looked at Herrick, who didn’t
appear at all surprised his granddaughter had just read both their minds. Hell,
the man had a twinkle in his eye. Returning his gaze to the girl, she smiled at
him before she looked back to Herrick.

“Master trailed you, Father, killing anyone who
would harm you and those who had survived. It was the least he could do for his
friend’s family, to honor Herrick who had saved his life. Once you arrived safely
at Wulf Manor, he arranged for the local polizei to leave you alone,
influencing them to forget you were here.” The girl blinked, frowning at the
way everyone was looking at her. “What? Did it happen again?”

Gaeta drew the girl to her. “Worry not, Mary. You
will learn to sense whenever these moments take over you.”

“Forgive me, Master,” Mary was trying not to cry.
“I did not mean to enter your mind … it just happened.”

After the initial shock wore off, he managed to say,
“As your grandmother has said, you will learn to control your gift. As Kai learned
to do when she was young.”

Sirens split the quiet. They watched the police cruisers
slide to a halt in the driveway, barely avoiding the dead men. The gypsies
watched warily as he and Kai set down their cups and went to meet the police. Kai
withdrew her credentials out of her rucksack and held it out for the officers
to see.

“Gentlemen, I am Kai Jordan. I’m a profiler for
the FBI and was recently in London on special invitation, investigating the
Ripper case. Inspector Hugh, East London Homicide Division, can verify my
credentials.”

A large, stocky man with tan-colored hair
approached her cautiously and took the black leather wallet from her. Examining
her I.D., he handed it back to her. Holstering his weapon, he signaled his men
to do the same.

“Agent Jordan, I am Lund Albert, Lead Inspector of
the local
Landespolizei. W
e
received an emergency call from the owner of Wulf Manor. Where is he?”

“I am Alexander Wulf.” Alex offered out his hand,
firmly clasping the visibly upset inspector’s outstretched hand. “Thank you for
your prompt response.”

“How did these men die on your property?” Albert
asked, taking a closer look at the nearest corpse. He jerked back, coughing at
the stench emanating from the dead man.

“They were dumped here,” Alex supplied, keeping an
eye on the police, who were approaching the gypsies.

Quickly retreating from the body, Albert demanded.
“What is an FBI profiler doing in Germany?”

“I was following a lead from London with the help
of Mr. Wulf. We arrived here yesterday.”

“Lead you say? What is happening in London that is
so important you failed to check in with me, in Magdeburg?”

“Vampires.”

A loud bark escaped the inspector. “Vampires? You
expect me to believe you are hunting
real
vampires?”

“Please,” she said sarcastically, “I know there is
no such thing, but those dead men and the ones I’m hunting
do
believe
in them. There is an occult forming in the larger cites, recruiting people
using rave and dance clubs.”

The
inspector’s disbelief dissolved, replaced by panic. “You heard of the Skaggin
family, ja?”

“Yes.
What’s your take on their murder?”

“Take?
They disappeared, stolen out of the morgue. Their children, too. Does the cult
you seek have a habit of stealing the dead?”

“Yes,
and those they do not convert are bled out. The Skaggin family was drained of
their blood, correct?”

Horrified,
Albert repeated, “Ja, there was blood at the scene of the crime, not enough
accounted for. Are you suggesting the killers drink the blood?”

“The
cult I’m hunting drinks blood, sleep in coffins, and come out only at night. They
worship vampires and their ways.” Kai approached Albert. “Inspector, have you
encountered an unusually high number of young adults missing in the last month
or about?”

Ashen-faced,
the man responded, “Ten in the last three weeks. We assumed the missing was
traveling around the country. There are lots of festivals during the summer
season, and our youth participate in droves. If Lord Wulf has not already
informed you, our own city is renowned for the Wolf of Magdeburg Festival,
during the Wolf Monet … in January. Numerous visitors arrive to watch the play
and participate in the celebration. They hold elections for those to partake in
the role of Magistrate Breber. In fact,” he directed to Alex, “Alexander Wulf
is one whom young men strive to portray as well. They hold contests to elect a
woman of beauty to represent Lisle Breber.”

Alex
stared at the inspector, speechless. The sirens of the ambulance and several
emergency SUVs saved him as the vehicles parked beside the police cars.

“Excuse
me. I need to speak to my team.” Albert walked over to the CSI unit,
instructing them what he wanted done and warned them to wear masks.

“So,”
Kai said in a low tone, “you’re famous in Magdeburg, huh?”

“Bloody
hell.” Alex shot her a glare as she grinned at him, obviously enjoying his
discomfort. He sought out Herrick. “Herrick, why didn’t you tell me about the
Wolf Festival?”

The
Gypsy shrugged his shoulders. “I thought you’d heard about it years ago.”

“Why
on earth would they celebrate the killing of children?” Alex demanded, sickened
people would actually
want
to reenact such
a horrible event.

“They do not celebrate their deaths; they are
paying homage to yours and Magistrate Breber’s selfless act entering the woods
when none other dared. You are a hero to have braved the starving wolves to
search for the children.”

Casting a dark scowl at the forest, Alex growled,
“The wolves were the least of the malevolence stalking the night.” Before Kai
could ask him what he meant, he left her to speak with the inspector.

Photographs were taken of the dead men, questions
asked of the gypsies. Alex helped Herrick and his family by taking control of
the situation and answered most of the questions for them. Finally the bodies
were bagged and the last of the vehicles left Wulf Manor.

“Kai, head to the house and make sure no ghoul
snuck inside. I’ll sweep the perimeter for any unwelcomed guests.” She nodded,
drawing her gun and went into the manor. “Herrick, it won’t take us long to
search and then you and your family can go to bed.”

“I appreciate it,” Herrick replied wearily, his
family ready to collapse from exhaustion. Some of the children had fallen
asleep in their parent’s arms.

To his relief, his search turned up nothing. Kai
returned and announced, “All clear.”

Escorting the gypsies in, Michael and his
siblings, their families bid them goodnight and carried their children
upstairs. Herrick and Sarah made to help Gaeta up the stairs. Alex waved them
off and carefully lifted the old woman into his arms.

“Master, you need not carry me!” Her plump cheeks
went red as she put her arms around his neck for support.

“You will need your strength to watch over the
children, yes?”

“Ja, I wish to stay with them.” Gaeta said to him
and Kai, “Our thanks for staying. My family is safe with you guarding us.”

“I’ll not leave until the danger has been
eradicated, I swear it.” At the top of the stairs, Gaeta directed him to the
children’s bedroom.

Setting her down on her feet, she surprised him by
giving him a hug. Releasing him, she patted her worried son’s cheek before she went
into the children’s room, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Herrick took his wife’s hand in his. “My mother
speaks for us and we feel about your presence. Thank you for staying. Good
rest, Alex. Miss Kai.”

“You, too, Herrick.” Alex watched them retire down
the hall and disappear into what once was his father’s bedchamber.

Resigned, he turned to Kai. “Ask away.”

“The wolf we saw was Aldric, wasn’t it?”

Alex recoiled, stunned at her question. “How do
you know about my brother?”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“How do you know about Aldric?” he demanded,
eyeing her suspiciously. Had the gypsies told her?

“You’ve
been dreaming and … and it’s been leaking into my head.”

“You
said you couldn’t read me!”

She
coolly replied, “I’m not reading you. You gave me your blood, remember? Your
mind is connecting with mine, and the dreams happen while we sleep. Neither of
us have control over that.”

“
Are
you seeing my dreams through my eyes or as an observer?”

Surprised
by his question, she answered slowly, “Both. I can feel what you feel and hear
what you think. Yet, I can see around you, people and places.” She watched him
warily, and he knew she was afraid he would close off from her again.

It
should have sent him into a tailspin that she was participating in his
remembering Magdeburg. The burden his choices heaved on the mortal and immortal
had become troublesome on his mind since they arrived in Germany, infecting his
sleep with the nightmare he’d endured. Now, since seeing the wolf at the
Skaggin farm, he wondered if she could help him with the problem of its
identity.

“
The
wolf at the Skaggin’s farm reminded me of the one I met on the Harz Mountain,
in 1819. Is it different?”

“It’s
the same wolf, Alex. Is it Aldric?”

“No,”
he shook his head, “my brother was not the Wolf of Magdeburg. And it cannot be
the same wolf. It was destroyed. This has to be Angel attempting to stir
trouble for me. She accused me of being a traitor, remember?”