The Damascus Chronicles (6 page)

“Filthy bastard,” grunted Franco reluctantly. Suddenly, a clinking sound came from the catwalk above, as a broken pipe fell.

“What was that?” said Al.

“Look up there!” yelled Garcia.

“It’s them, those two freaks from the plant!” screamed Sonny.

“Kill them!” ordered Franco.

“Duck!” warned Serena, grabbing Michael from the rafter. They both hit the floor as shots landed against the side of the railing.

“Thanks!” said Michael.

As the couple returned fire, bullets flew through the air; goons below fell to the ground and live ammo spurted everywhere. Blood gushed from bodies being shot to pieces, heads exploded, and limbs were torn off. Garcia extracted a grenade launcher from one of the crates and fired it over his head.

“Look out!” Michael yelled. The explosion from the grenade destroyed the left side of the railing, throwing Michael and Serena against some crates and breaking them into splinters. The noise of gunfire stopped, and as the smoke and debris of the dust settled, Franco and Garcia’s men moved in carefully to inspect the aftermath.

Suddenly, Michael emerged from the broken crates with Serena behind him, his fangs bared in anger and his eyes burning blue with hate. He noticed another man standing next to Franco. The man’s face was covered in a white mask and he was dressed in a blue suit, identical to the vision Michael has seen in his nightmare.

“YOU!” Michael roared in anger as he recklessly lunged to attack. Sonny fired his pistol, wounding Michael and Serena in the chest. Serena kept him from getting killed as she slammed a smoke grenade against the ground. The grenade caused a thick cloud of gas to fill the air, and as all of the men coughed and sputtered in the gloom, Serena and Michael vanished without a trace.

“Where the hell did they go?” yelled Sonny.

“I don’t know but I want them dead!” Franco yelled at Sonny and Al. “Garcia, you have a deal. Gather as many men and weapons as you can, find those two, kill them, and bring me their heads on a platter!”

“Would you prefer their eyes ripped out or their noses cut off?” agreed Garcia.

“Franco, I saw that guy at the penthouse three nights ago,” said Sonny.

“So it was the same guy. I thought so.” Franco nodded. “They must not interfere again with this operation. Find them.”

Serena opened the door to the rooftop loft in the old theater where Michael lived. Blood was flowing from her body, and with Michael still bleeding from his chest, the two fell to the ground over the threshold.

“I can’t feel anything,” moaned Serena.

“Just hang on baby, I’ve got you,” said Michael, holding up Serena on his right shoulder. “It hurts,” said Serena. Michael pulled out the two bullets from his chest with blood on his hand. Serena pulled out the two bullets from her chest as she winced in pain.

”Stay here, I’ll find you blood,” said Michael gritting his teeth bearing the pain. Glancing out the window he saw a tabby cat on the fire escape, and using his telekinetic gift he was able to command the furry beast to come into the apartment. Michael slit the cat’s throat with his switchblade, giving the creature to Serena. She tore into the cat’s flesh, feeding aggressively. Her wounds healed quickly and her eyes returned to their natural color. Michael healed faster, for his injuries were less severe than Serena’s. Michael saw a rat run out of a little hole from the base board of the wall.

“Disgusting,” said Serena.

“It’s just a rat,” said Michael, and grabbing it, he looked into the rodent’s little black eyes; Michael’s own eyes glowed yellow as he drained his victim’s energy. Dropping the corpse of the pest, Michael was healed. At that moment both were restored.

“Are you all right?” asked Michael.

“Thanks, I’m fine now,” said Serena, feeling relieved from the pain. “That was too close.”

“At least we’re in one piece.”

“Cool.” Serena’s breathing was a little heavy.

“After all, I can’t let you die on me now can I, love?” said Michael.

“Do you mean it?” said Serena looking into Michael’s eyes with curiosity.

“Why the hell not? We were a pretty good team back there,” smiled Michael.

“Thanks.”

“I’ve found more than just a girlfriend, I’ve found a partner.”

“Are you serious?” questioned Serena.

“Why not? As deadly as we are together and as compatible, we make the perfect team. Besides, I admire a woman who knows how to kick ass.” A wicked grin spread across Michael’s face.

Serena gave him a grin of satisfaction. “I have a little present for you.” She handed him a high-powered rifle and laser canon gun.

“Where did you get this?” Michael asked.

“I managed to confiscate a carrying case of guns from the warehouse just before we vanished,” said Serena.

“I have to hand it to you sweets, it looks like we have us a whole new ball game. The Don will be pleased with these toys,” Michael chuckled.

“Come on. It’s time to sleep. We need the rest; we’ll figure something out tomorrow night.” They walked downstairs to the bedroom, undressed and dove underneath the cool covers of the bed and slept.

Michael woke from his deep slumber about an hour after sunset. Serena was already up. Michael caught the scent of blood coming from her and he knew that she had gone to feed before he woke. “I guess you’re not too hungry this evening,” he said.

“How did you know?” asked Serena.

“I just could tell, I felt it.”

“Show off. Oh well, how did you sleep?”

“Comfortably,” replied Michael, as he stretched and got out of bed.

“How about some breakfast? My treat,” she offered.

“Sure, but just some coffee, I’m not that hungry for anyone tonight,” Michael answered. He dressed quickly, pulling on a sports coat and jeans, along with black leather shoes. The two headed out down to Jack’s Coffee Shop.

“So tell me,” Michael asked as he sipped his coffee, “how did you get the gift?”

“I was born with this condition. It wasn’t until I was 20 when the symptoms began to awaken, the thirst, depression, and the insomnia. There was even times while I slept that I felt my spirit leave my body, then flow back in,” said Serena.

“How did you handle it?” asked Michael.

“I cried a lot. People often ridiculed me in college because of my pale skin; they thought I was a freak. When I came to America after leaving the KGB, where I was an assistant to my uncle, I went to school at night, studying botany and medicine. I became an outcast.”

“Horrible,” said Michael.

“I only had one friend, he was such a sweet man,” said Serena.

“Tell me about him.” Michael was intrigued.

“His name was Joshua. He and I were very close friends in college until graduation. We both dreamed of being doctors. He knew that I was different and yet he treated me so kindly and lovingly. I remember how he always kissed me tenderly. Our loft used to be so cozy and he would bring me fresh-cut lilies and white roses every day; they filled the air with sweetness. Whenever we made love he took my breath away. It was the happiest time in my life.

As we approached graduation we both thought of getting married, having children. We would talk about it often, sometimes jokingly.”

“Did he ever know about, you know … the gift?” Michael asked curiously.

“He didn’t know, but I think he wouldn’t have cared anyway, he loved me too much to care,” said Serena. “Then, one evening as we were walking home together through the park we were approached by a man in a dark coat. It was so dark that night; I couldn’t see the guy well. The guy pulled out a gun and stuck it to Joshua’s head. Joshua gave him his money, and after that, the bastard killed him anyway. The man ran away in the darkness. I chased him, but he had disappeared into the night. I ran back and held Joshua in my arms crying and screaming, but no one could help him, not even me. He died seconds after he was shot.

After that, I lost my compassion for people. Before then I never fed on them, but after Joshua’s death I didn’t care. I went back into the KGB and have never been the same since. That was 80 years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” Michael said.

“It’s all right. I guess we all have demons from the past that haunt us in life,” said Serena.

“Do you still miss him?”

“Sometimes I do, but I’m happy being with you.”

“Why did you choose me?” Michael asked with curiosity.

“Because I see myself in you. We are the same in some ways, and also eternity is a long time to be all alone.”

“I’m curious how long you’ve been this way?”

“Let’s just say I’ve lived for a long time,” she replied. “How old are you, by the way?”

“I’m now thirty,” said Michael. “There’s one thing I’m wondering about. Where do we come from? You know, I still don’t understand it all.”

“You will in time,” said Serena.

“When?”

“In time,” said Serena. “The truth is, I used to ask myself the same question about vampires, what I am, how the whole thing started, our history. I have heard different myths and legends that our kind is descended from ancient Egypt, Rome, Asia, and the Slavic regions. I’ve read different ancient texts, talked to different old ones, always finding nothing, who knows?”

“So you know nothing,” replied Michael.

“One thing that I have learned is this. We are what we are and maybe it is best to leave some things alone. Just accept what we are and live with it,” said Serena.

“I wonder how a supreme being could let something like us exist,” said Michael, as he twirled the lucky dog tags he wore around his neck. “Wondering can be a dangerous thing, love; wondering can drive a vampire to insanity,” said Serena seriously.

“But aren’t you a bit curious? Don’t you ask yourself, why, why!” protested Michael.

“Trust me, searching only makes the torment stronger. Besides, if a divine creator did make us, then what would be the point of looking for answers?” said Serena, annoyed.

“Do you believe in God?”

“I don’t know if there is one, but I’m open to the idea that there is. What about you?”

“I used to believe there was; now I don’t know. I question everything now,” said Michael.

“I feel the same,” Serena nodded.

“You know it’s kind of funny.” Michael smiled slightly.

“What is?” Serena looked with her lovely eyes into Michael’s.

“I used to love reading vampire and mythological stories when I was a kid. I actually wanted to be a monster make-up artist in the movie business. Now I’m one of them, a monster, that is.” Michael chuckled.

“Ironic isn’t it?” smiled Serena.

“What do you think about the feeding?” wondered Michael.

“Nothing much. I know it may bother you now, but you’ll get used to it.”

“Still, those punks deserved it,” said Michael with no regrets.

“The hunger is power,” replied Serena.

“Yeah, but what about things that can harm us?”

“Sunlight can weaken us, fire can kill us, decapitation can definitely kill us, and holy water and crosses don’t do anything, that’s just in the movies.”

“What about impalement?”

“That can also kill us. Regular wounds in general can’t harm us,” said Serena.

“Good to know,” said Michael. “Just thinking, what do you like to do for fun, I mean what are your passions, besides this nightlife?”

“Well, I love to dance and when I was a little girl I took ballet lessons. I dreamed of being a famous dancer for operas and plays, but that was long ago,” said Serena. “What about you?”

“I like playing my electric guitar and reading books,” said Michael.

“Really, me too!” exclaimed Serena, smiling. “So tell me, what made you come out here to Vegas?”

“I think you already know; you seem to know my thoughts,” said Michael.

“I can’t always read people’s thoughts, much less know every thing about them. Tell me,” she pressed.

“Two years ago, I was on a mission in Turkey working for the CIA’s central (ADGS) operation anti-drug and gun smuggling unit, associated with INTERPOL. My sister Katrina and I were assigned to monitor, detect, capture, and arrest the main warlord that was in charge of an organization. My sister went undercover working for the Prime Minister, Turish Strossinburg, as his personal liaison. She knew the language, customs, and traditions, as our uncle had lived there for seven years. We suspected that Strossinburg was our target, considering every criminal act that he and his cabinet had committed since his appointment to office in 2010. Also, before that he was one of Turkey’s highest-ranking military generals. He was involved in assassination hits, corruption of military power, blackmail, money laundering, biochemical weapons development – the list went on forever. The only problem was to find proof. For a while everything seemed to be going wrong, and then one day we found evidence from a hacker, documents that could convict and sentence him, with the help of the United Nations. It was the discovery of secret documents on biochemical weapons to be sold to a buyer. On the day we infiltrated his headquarters, we found a twenty-eight year old woman covered with blood laying dead in his study.”