Hair, Greg - Werewolf 03 (12 page)

Chapter 25: Requiem

Sensing the great influx of vampires to Poveglia, as all other werewolves on the island had, Landon walked to the dock, and met the new arrivals. Shaking hands and patting backs, he looked out across the water when something caught his eye.

One boat, then another, and another, until near twenty of them approached, in two separate groups, each filled with around ten people. In the distance, coming in the lead boat and waving his arms in a greeting gesture, Landon made out a familiar face from long ago.

“Son of a bitch,” Landon said.

“Who is it?” asked Ryker.

“Finian.”

“What’s a Finian?”

“He’s a werewolf from Ireland, the first werewolf I met in Europe that set me on my path to Burghausen, in a roundabout way.”

Still fifty yards away, Finian called out to his friend.

“Top o’ the mornin’ to you, lad!” Several pairs of hands reached out and grabbed the Irish werewolf as he nearly fell out of the boat from his obvious excitement.

Pulling up to the dock, Finian jumped out, and ran up to Landon.

“Oh, it’s good to see you, lad. Don’t suppose there’s any Guinness, or Irish whiskey, to be found on this island, is there?”

“Afraid not,” said Landon, laughing.

“Ah, you look great, Landon, my boy. Got quite a fight coming, I hear. Wouldn’t miss it. Even brought my son along.” He leaned in closer to Landon’s ear. “He’s teetotaler, but a hell of fighter, that boy is.”

Stepping out from behind the Irishman, a young man stuck his hand out, shaking Landon’s.

“Hi. Lennon,” the man said, his face framed by red hair that dropped just to the top of his neck.

“Welcome,” said Landon. “I’m happy to have you both here.”

“Well, obviously,” began Finian, “we’re not the only two showing up. Brought plenty of others with me, ya see.”

Finian waved his arm behind him, directing Landon’s sight to the numerous boats in the first grouping, sending more of the Irish werewolf’s countrymen ashore.

“Thanks so much,” said Landon. “We really appreciate all the help we can get. Who’s in the other group?”

Landon pointed to the second barrage of boats nearing the island.

“Some giant Russian fella,” said Finian. “Met him on the other side of the lagoon. Drinks vodka, is all I know. Not really my thing, but a jovial fellow, he is.”

Then, Landon saw a hulking figure stand in the nearest boat, waving one arm.

“Vladimir,” Landon said.

“The Russian you told us about when you first arrived at Burghausen?” asked Ryker. “The one that kicked your ass?”

“Yep. That’s the one.”

“Remind me not to make him mad,” said the Dane. “He’s huge.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure I could take him, even now, as Consul.”

As the lead boat in the second wave neared, still several feet from land, the large Russian leaped from the vessel, nearly sending it, and all passengers, into the water.

“I hear there’s some guy wanting to create a perfect race in his own image, and kill everyone else,” Vladimir said, his thick Russian accent getting everyone’s attention who was within earshot.

“Yes,” said Landon. “You heard right.”

“Well, I met a guy like that before, in the war.” The Russian took Landon’s hand, squeezing tightly. “And we’re gonna roll over this one like we did him. Brought several of my comrades with me. Been a while since we’ve sharpened our claws for a good fight.”

“That’s the spirit,” said Finian, slapping the hulk’s back.

“I like you little Irishman, but please don’t slap me.”

Landon laughed at the pair, then noticed a third grouping of water taxis.

“Who’s that?”

Everyone turned to see about the same number of boats, ten, as in the two previous groups.

“Don’t know,” said Finian.

“Not Russian, I think,” Vladimir added.

Everyone waited quietly as the first boat made it to the dock. Out stepped a tall, blond man with a debonair look about him. Behind him followed a teenage girl, with long, dark hair.

“I’m looking for Landon Murphy,” said the man in an English accent.

“I’m Landon.” The werewolf felt the charge in the air.

“Kendrick, at your service. This is my daughter, Cate.” He motioned to the dark-haired teen. “Behind me come more English. We are at your disposal.”

“English? I don’t know about fighting with English,” said Finian.

“Why not?” asked Kendrick. “Wait a minute. Are you that Irish dog that keeps stirring up trouble back home?”

“Irish dog? I’ll show you an Irish dog, you Cromwellian bloodsucker!” Finian’s eyes burned red, as he moved quickly toward Kendrick.

“Whoa,” Landon said, jumping in front of Finian, as Ryker and Vladimir positioned themselves in front of Kendrick. “I like the fire in your eyes, Finian, but not among each other. You need to focus that on Nicholas.”

The Irishman turned, walking away, toward the Octagon.

“Come on, Lennon, lad.”

Landon noticed that Lennon didn’t move, nor did he take his eyes off Cate. He looked over, and saw that she was returning the Irish teen’s gaze. Suddenly, the realization hit that Finian had noticed, too.

“Oh, no you don’t,” said the Irishman. “You stay away from her. You hear me, boy? She’s trouble. No son of mine is gonna have anything to do with an English vampire. She’s trouble, she is.”

“Sometimes, you’re trouble, da,” said Lennon, finally responding to his father’s demand to follow. “There’s nothing wrong with her, and you’re making a scene.”

“They’re the ones making a scene. English showing up here. And vampires at that. I don’t want you hanging out with her.”

Landon ran up the tiny hill, toward the Octagon, catching up with Finian.

“Listen,” he said, “I’m thrilled that you’re here, really I am, but don’t you think you were a little harsh back there?”

“Nonsense! They’re English. Sure, they’re vampires, too, which I could probably get past, but…they’re English. Do you know what the English have done to my county?”

“Yes, yes, I know all about it. And you guys struck back at them, too. Tit for tat, and all that. Look, isn’t it time to maybe, I don’t know, think about moving beyond all that hatred?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him,” said Lennon. “So has Ma.”

“You leave your dear mother outta this,” Finian said. “Landon, I came here to fight this Nicholas fella with ya, and that’s what I’ll do, and I’ll be civil while I’m here, but don’t ask me to stop being Irish.”

“Okay, okay.”

Landon watched Finian, and Lennon, continue on their path, then he turned his attention away from his Irish friend, and walked back to Kendrick. Ryker and Vladimir relaxed, and stood down.

“I’m sorry about that,” Landon said. “He’s very…proud of his heritage.”

“Pride is one thing,” said Kendrick. “Racism and nationalism are something else.” He turned to his daughter. “I don’t want you seeing that boy. Not because he’s Irish, but because of his father. We don’t need that kind of trouble.”

“But, dad,” said Cate.

“No but’s. I don’t want you near him. Keep your distance. We didn’t come here for romance, anyway.”

“You know I’m just going to do what I want. I’m old enough to decide who I see. I don’t know why you’re even bothering to tell me.”

“I’ve made my wishes known, and that’s the end of it. You will not see him. Do you understand?”

“Whatever.”

Cate marched off, up the small hill toward the practicing fighters that had paused to watch the unfolding scene.

“Teenagers,” said Kendrick.

“Yeah,” Landon said, “don’t I know it?”

Chapter 26: Requiem

Bianca walked to the edge of the open field on the other end of Poveglia, and sat beside Robert, the blind werewolf, and William, the one-armed vampire. The two refugees from Kilchurn had been passing the time, watching the adult leaders, Landon and the others, train all those who had arrived in the past few days.

“Why aren’t you two involved?” she asked.

“What are we supposed to do?” asked William. “I have one arm, and he can’t see.”

“Which is precisely why you should be training. One, you could use it, given your new situations, and second, Nicholas and Jamie won’t be expecting you. Landon and the others can definitely use that to their advantage. Both of you are still useful. Unlike me.”

“What do you mean, unlike you?” Robert asked. “I heard that you were at Kilchurn just as we were. You, too, have something to contribute. You know the layout.”

“I wasn’t pregnant, then.”

“What’s your connection to that place, anyway?” William asked.

“I’m carrying Jamie’s twins.”

The audible silence that came from William and Robert rang in her ears.

“Serinda is my, was my, sister,” she continued. “I thought Jamie loved me, so…well, you can see what happened. Then he left me for her. But, he doesn’t know I’m pregnant.”

“I’m very sorry you had to find out like you did about her,” said William.

“I’m sorry you were set up to take the fall for what Nicholas did.”

“Do you think Jamie can be saved? I mean, it’s obvious he’s being used by Nicholas.”

“Obvious to everyone, but Jamie. No, I don’t think he can be saved. I used to, I used to have hope for him, but once he hooked up with Serinda, and married her, then did what he did to you two. No. He’s gone.”

“But, you are here,” said Alessandro, walking over from training. “Alessandro was listening, oh yes. You are right. All of you are right. Your knowledge of the enemy’s ground is quite useful.”

“Why does he talk like that?” asked William.

“That’s just Alessandro,” said Bianca. “Be nice, or you’ll deal with me.”

“Sorry.”

She turned her attention to the Venetian. “Aren’t you busy working one on one with Katarzyna, over there?”

“Alessandro is, oh, yes. But, please, do not change our direction.”

“Change direction?” asked Robert.

“He means don’t change the subject,” said Bianca. “So, Alessandro, you want us to help?”

“Oh, yes. Alessandro would like that very much. As would those who must practice. Robert, your other senses will magnify, as you’ve already noticed, but even more so when you shift. Unfortunately, you will not regain eyesight then, but your hearing and smell with be better than any other werewolf’s, besides Landon, of course. And, Alessandro imagines, so will your ability to discern vampires.

“Oh, yes, Alessandro is right. And you, William, it will be difficult for someone to put a hold on you. You will find it much easier to remove yourself from an enemy’s grasp. And, Miss Bianca, believe Alessandro when he says that the intimate knowledge that all of you have, not only of their layout, but of their minds and personalities, means much. To truly know thy enemy, one must understand more than the enemy’s skills and home.”

“Okay,” said William, “I’m in.”

“Me, too,” replied Robert. “Bianca?”

“I’m thinking.”

Annelise walked up from behind Alessandro.

“You’ve been saying you feel useless. This is your chance to change that,” she said. “Especially if you’re not going to stay in bed like LillyAnna told you to do.”

“Okay.”

“Bianca,” said Robert, “do you feel that?”

“Yeah, I do.” She turned around, staring back toward the Octagon. “A new group of vampires.”

“Hey, Ryker! Landon!” called Annelise. “There’s a new group coming.”

The Consuls stopped their training of new recruits to welcome the most recent additions. Seeing a large number of people coming down toward the field, led by a beautiful, tan, dark-haired woman, Landon stepped forward from his group.

“I know them,” he said, turning back to the army behind him. “Catalina!”

The young vampire ran over, stopping beside Landon.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Over there, coming down the hill, isn’t that—“

“My sister!”

Catalina ran toward Graciela, the Mexican vampire priestess, whose ritual had removed Landon’s immortality, throwing her arms around her. Landon followed, quickly counting fifty new additions.

“You came to help?” asked Catalina. “I can’t believe you came to help.”

“I am very happy to see you, sister,” said Graciela. “The spirits told me to come. This evil cannot go unpunished.”

“I’m very happy to have you here,” said Landon. “Thank you for coming.”

“My dear werewolf, my people and I did not come alone.”

From behind Graciela’s vampire followers, emerged a much smaller group of werewolves.

“Javier,” he said, reaching his hand out.

“Hello, my friend. I could think of no better way to thank you for putting us on a better path, than to offer our lives in your service.”

“No more kidnappings from surrounding villages?”

“No. If fact, we tracked down all those we had taken, and returned them to their families. We now offer protection, like you suggested, to our own town. God truly sent a miracle to us the night we met.”

“Don’t thank me,” said Landon. “Just because I suggest it, doesn’t mean you’re going to do it. You followed through with it, and it sounds like you’ve made a better life for yourselves. Some people have it within them to turn away from the wrong path, others don’t. I’m glad to see you were able to.”

Landon turned back to Graciela.

“Now, about my immortality, or lack thereof.”

“That still on your mind, werewolf?” asked the priestess. “No questions. Trust God. Vaya con Dios.” She turned to walk away.

“Vaya con Dios?” Landon asked, catching up with her. “Go with God? That’s it? That’s all you have for me?”

“Landon Murphy, there is nothing more that you need. God does not make mistakes. He did not make one when He took back your immortality. He knows what He is doing. Why can’t you trust in that?”

“Fine,” Landon huffed, and led the newest arrivals to his friends, introducing them. He then asked everyone to gather together in the field.

“My friends,” he began, “most of you have traveled very far to be here. Ryker, my co-Consul, and I, are extremely grateful. We cannot thank you enough. The evil we will soon be facing is daunting and, for some of us, very personal. My son, Jamie, is the one who calls himself king. Nicholas, the catalyst for all of this, was once a trusted member of Burghausen. He knows some of our tactics. And, you should know, I have killed him before.”

The collective gasp hit him like a rogue wave.

“He cheated death,” he continued, “because he is the first of us, all of us, cursed by God for sins committed two millennia ago. And the truth is, I don’t know how to destroy him. But, I trust and have faith that, together, we will bring him to his knees. Some of us may fall. All of us may fall. But as we fall, we will take Nicholas, and his army, with us. Tomorrow, we leave for Scotland, and soon, Nicholas will be Hell’s problem to deal with.”

The crowd erupted with cheers. Landon excused himself, and walked toward the water. Small waves lapped the shore.

LillyAnna came up from behind.

“Well said. Did you believe any word of it?”

“Doesn’t matter if I do, it only matters that they do.”

“That’s not true. If you don’t believe in us, in yourself, we will fail. You’ve obviously made a difference to so many people in this world. Believe in yourself. Your father would be proud of you.”

Landon thought for a minute. “I need to be alone for a little while.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find whatever it is in me that everyone else sees.”

He walked away, heading for the dock.