The Rise of the New Bloods, From Dark Beginnings (11 page)

CHAPTER EIG
HTEEN

‘Bloody weather!’ Stride tutted, as he switched on the windscreen wipers.

  I had to agree, it had not really stopped raining since I arrived in New York over a week ago.

The conversation in the van was becoming a bit stale since Blaze had found out I was a vampire. For the last ten minutes, we sat staring out of the window watching the museum for any sign of trouble.

 
‘So what are we doing here?’ Blaze asked.

I must have nudged him with my elbow as I shrugged because he flinched and edged towards
the van door away from me.   

 
‘Yeah, what are we doing here?’ Stride asked.    

 
‘I just have a feeling we should be here.’

 
‘I don't know what you're hoping to find mind you, the book has gone.’

 
‘Hey Stride, where's your enthusiasm gone? We've got to start somewhere, and besides when were you planning on introducing me to the other guy?’

 
‘Soon, as soon as he has finished putting false tracks down for you. We can't let on that there are two of you.’

 
‘Why?’ 

 
‘Well, didn't you ever read the first part of the prophecy?’

 
‘No, I can't read Egyptian. My father wouldn't tell me much either, whether it was because he couldn't or what, I don't know.’

 
‘Well, according to the Secret Order, you my friend are the last vampire, so whoever was sent to kill you all that day, either, didn't realise this vampire was still alive, or they knew. My guess is they didn't.’

 
‘Right, so this is why he has been keeping low. So he can help when the time comes to end this curse?’

 
‘Yep, so if we had the second part, we'd know what we're meant to do. I'm just getting so pissing annoyed now that it's taking so long.’

 
‘There’s a second part?’ Blaze asked.

 
‘Yes, it’s an ancient prophecy, oh long story, but the Book of The Dead was supposed to contain it, but that has been stolen now, and we haven't a fucking clue where to start looking.’

 
‘Oh that book. I remember April had a strange call the other week saying she could have it on loan for her exhibit. She said the call was totally unexpected.’

I looked at Stride.
‘Are you thinking what I'm thinking?’

 
‘What? What you're talking about?’ Blaze panicked.

 
‘I think that's why they have April,’ I said, ‘they must have the second part already and if April can decipher it for them...oh shit.’

  I slammed my fist down on the dashboard, startling Blaze sat next to me.

  ‘Do you think she's alright? They won't harm her will they?’ Blaze said.

 
‘No, no, just calm down, ok, let's do what we've come here to do first. So come on Jyrki, what the fuck are we doing here?’

 
‘Just wait a bit longer, I have a feeling something will show up anytime soon.’

 
‘What are you now, a psychic vampire?’ Blaze said.

 
‘Not quite. Although, my instinct is much better developed than yours.’

Blaze sighed and trie
d to relax a bit, but his insistence on tapping the dashboard to whatever song he had playing in his head was pissing me off.

 
‘So Stride, how did you become involved in all this then?’ Blaze asked obviously trying to take his mind off things.

 
‘Ah, well laddy, I'll tell you. If you want that is? It all began with my father, as you know. When I saw the prophecy as a young lad, it fascinated me so much, I read everything I could on demonology and Ancient Egypt. I can even picture my dad talking to me about it now. No one ever believed him thankfully.’

 
‘But you kept researching, why?’

 
‘Of course I did. I was in a biker bar in Wales one night talking to this lad. Well you know after a few drinks everyone looks the same, yeah? Well, you know me, and my big mouth; I started yapping about the prophecy to this guy. He reminded me of the great Brandon Lee, you know of him don't you?’ He said as he looked at me, ‘Oh maybe not, well, he was extremely interested in all this shit I was spouting off about vampires, and the end of the world. In fact, he was too interested and that should've been a sign for me to shut up. Well, it must've been about closing time, and the most of the punters had gone home. I was sat in the corner of the pub talking to him, and the next thing I know he asks if my father was in Korea. I almost crapped myself. Since then I've been helping him to find you. You're not much of trackers are you for a bunch of animals? Took him sodding years to try and find my dad but he ends up finding me instead...’ he laughed, ‘In a little town called the Mumbles.’

 
‘For real?  So why are you here now, in New York?’

 
‘Well lad this is where it's all going down.  We managed to decipher that much.’

 
‘Sorry to butt in, but how is all this supposed to be helping me find my sister? Don't you think we should call the police?’

 
‘No!’ We both yelled.

 
‘There's no sense getting the law involved, the next thing you know it will be the government and then the media, and before you know it we'll have panic in the streets, so no, absolutely not, we can do this our way, and if the worst comes to the worst, I call my mate Jimmy,’ Stride said.

  I glanced at Stride
‘Jimmy?’

 
‘Jimmy Wolffskin, my mate who works in the FBI, and believe me we can trust him, ok.’

The man ne
ver ceases to amaze me.

Just when I think I am getting to know him, he tells me something else to make me nervous. I did not bother questioning him any further. I wanted to check out the museum before dawn.

  ‘Perhaps we should go and take a look.’ I suggested.

Blaze shook his head.
‘You can count me out.’

  I gave him a stern look.

  ‘Well you're the vampire, you go first.’

 
‘Right, okay then I will. Stride?’

 
‘Nah, I'm staying here in case we need a quick getaway.’

 
‘Are you sure about this? I mean, the Ankh giving you psychic messages or something, it sounds kinda fucked up?’ Blaze asked

 
‘Two days ago, you didn't believe vampires were real.’ I laughed.

 
‘Okay, point taken. Here, do you want my mobile...er, just in case?’

 
‘Your mobile?’

‘Yeah, it’s a phone for fuck sake. You know what that is surely?’

I took the mobile from Blaze and jumped out of the van.

As I slammed the door, I overheard Blaze remark to Stride, ‘I hope he knows how to use it.’

I didn't.

Twenty first century technology was beyond me.

  I ran over the road towards the main doors of the building. It looked empty, apart from a few security lights outside the door. I turned back towards the van and shrugged. There did not appear to be anyone here, maybe my hunch was wron
g.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The sound of my boots squelching was driving me insane, as I walked up the steps to the museum door.

I was soaked, agitated, and hungry.

If anything dared cross my path right now, it would not last for very long. I tried pushin
g the main doors but they were locked and did not look like they had been tampered with either.

So what was I meant to be doing here?

April was not far from my mind either. I could not let onto to Blaze that I had feelings for her, as I somehow gathered he would not be too happy with his sister dating a vampire.   

 
‘Damn!’ I shouted as I tripped over an oversized plant pot beside the pillars.

That will teach me for allowing my mind to stray. I lifted myself up and pushed my hair away from my face when I heard Blaze's mobile going off in my pocket.

‘Shit!’ I cursed.

I stared blankly at this peculiar looking device. I knew I had to press somet
hing, but what?

It cut off and rang again.

After the third attempt I was getting rather frustrated, and felt like throwing the damn thing, but luckily my finger must've slipped on the answer button just as I was about to sling it.

I heard Blaze's voice
on the other end. He sounded to me as if he was scared.

  I held the phone to my ear.

‘What is it?’ I asked.

I did feel like an idiot talking to a piece of plastic, but hey, I thought, you cannot fault these humans, they were pretty intelligent.

  ‘Come 'round the back now,’ Blaze rasped.

Bloody hell!

What the fuck is Blaze up to now.

I was hoping he would stay out of trouble but I knew that was unlikely with Stride about.

  I dropped the phone, and ran around the side of the building. The loading bay door was ajar, which meant someone had cut the security alarms.

I looked at it and began to feel nervous at what I might find behind it, but as I was feeling weak anyway; I decided to let the vampire overtake my body.

I could not go in there unprepared, and it was best to have that extra strength. I already had a sufficient amount of blood earlier, so I knew I would not go for any humans tonight.

The musty smell of the interior did not agree with me. I walked past the stairway that was illuminated by t
he moonlight shining through the window at the top. In front of me an arch doorway that led into the new Egyptian exhibit.

I acted on my instinct and walked through.

  All was calm in the room. Not a thing was out of place either.

I jumped over the yell
ow security tape the police had put around the empty glass cabinet, which I guessed once held the Book of The Dead. I gave it a quick inspection until my ears became alerted to the sound of Blaze whimpering in the corner behind me.

  I turned around, forge
tting that I was already shifted. I held my coat over my face and knelt down beside him. He was leaning against the wall with his knees tucked up to his chest.

 
‘Man, what are you doing here?’ I whispered. ‘I thought you was staying with Stride in the van...um, where is Stride anyway?’ I said as I looked around the room.

 
‘I had to come and warn you there was someone following you, but, but he got to me first,’ he said sucking in a sharp breath.

 
‘Okay, just chill, who was he and where is he now?’

 
‘He looked like you. I thought it was you, but then I realised it couldn't have been you because he was following you in here...Jyrki, he looked like that guy down the docks that night!’

 
‘Blaze! Listen to me ok, calm down now, alright. You did the right thing.’

 
‘I'm only doing this for April you got that. I still haven’t forgiven you for lying to me.’

 
‘I know; I understand perfectly.’

Blazes' facial expression changed, he looked twice as fearful as he did when he saw me shift into a vampire at the warehouse earlier. I followed the swift flow of movement from his eyes. He tried to talk but it was if his mouth had become paralysed with f
ear. I could sense someone was standing behind me and it was not human.

  Slowly, I got up from the floor ,and turned around, terrified of the thought of what was going to greet me, when the touch of moonlight seeping from the window articulated the feature
s on the face that stood before me. I looked at him and gasped. The familiar deep-set blue eyes that last saw me so many years ago at the compound were now looking at me again.

This was not possible I kept thinking.

I reached out my hand to touch him, to feel that he was indeed real and not just another dark memory from home. I saw in his eyes a sudden release of all his pain as he realised it was really me.

 
‘Jyrki…it’s really you?’

 
‘Draven! How…this isn’t possible?’

 
‘Yes, it is,’ he said, clenching my arms. ‘You have no idea how good it is to see you again.’

This can
’t be happening to me.

All those years alone and now…
now, for the first time I felt complete again. I struggled to get the words out that were in my head but instead I just looked at him, thankful to be in his presence once more.

How I longed to hear my native language one more time. To have it spoken to me by my brother again was something I never thought possible.

  ‘How… I don't understand?’

He looked haggard and worn.

His shoulder length dark hair looked greasy and fell over his tired face. Although it was not very surprising considering he survived in the underground for so long. He smiled at me and threw his arms around my neck.

It was so good to have my brother back.

  ‘This is unbelievable. I thought you all perished that day. Is father here too?’

The mention of father pained him deeply; it was not so hard to see. He raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing it as if to relieve all the tension and worry that has plagued him for y
ears.

 
‘No, he isn't. I don't really know what happened to them all, do you?’

I did, but I wasn't up to talking about this right now.

  ‘Human?’ He nodded to Blaze.

 
‘Oh Blaze,’ relieved he had changed the subject. ‘Draven this is Blaze, but I see you've already met.’

Draven peered over my shoulder; his eyes glinted with  mischief as he flashed a smirk at Blaze who was still crouched into the corner by the door.

  ‘Yes, I thought he was some Egyptian or worse until I smelt his blood,’ Draven laughed. ‘I gave you a fright though, didn't I. Down the docks that night?’ he grinned.

 
‘It’s okay Blaze, Draven is my brother. What were you doing down the docks anyway? Have you been following me too?’

 
‘Yes, Stride wanted me to keep an eye on you. So many times, I had wanted to say something to you but I could not. It was such a relief to find out you was still alive. Until I met Stride that night I didn’t even know where to begin looking for you.’

 
‘He did say. So you lost the prophecy?’

Draven lowered his head
in shame.

 
‘I’ve travelled the world in the last century trying to track you down. I believed you to be still alive, I had to, you were the only thing that kept me going, but I must admit there were times when things got too much, and I did many stupid things. Things I truly regret. I was in Korea for a short while, when I almost, almost Jyrki, drained one guy who was between life and death. Imagine if I had sired another vampire. Can you imagine what would have happened? Anyway, I lost the prophecy that night and as fate would have it, Stride’s father had picked it up, and thankfully kept it a secret all these years.’

Blaze got up from the floor and adjusted his jacket; he looked uncomfortable and unsure with what to do with himself.

  ‘I, er...well, um, two vampires huh? Who would've thought it? You know what guys? I'm not going to even bother trying to get my head around this; it's too fucking mind-blowing.’

In the ensuing darkness, I could hear the faint tapping of feet walking along t
he vinyl flooring out in the hallway. I shifted my gaze from Blaze to the door and in walked Stride clutching a pile of paper.

‘
Good idea lad, it’s the best way to be honest. Ignorance is always bliss, but remember it could also cost you your life.’

 
‘Stride? Why didn't you say it was Draven you found that night huh?’

He cocked a cheeky smile and winked.

‘I couldn't, I didn't want to give names in case the,  you don’t know who's hanging around, but anyway I just came across some papers in Dr. Matthew's office, can you make any sense out of them?’

 
‘Give them 'ere,’ Draven said. ‘Looks like it’s an early form of the Ancient Egyptian language?’

 
‘Can you read it?’ he asked.

 
‘It's not something I've got around to learning to be honest.’

 
‘Let me take a look.’ Blaze walked nervously over toward Draven, and reluctantly took the papers from him.

After looking them over for a few seconds, he spoke.

  ‘Hm, I may be wrong, but April had stuff like this. If we can find her I’m sure she will decipher these for you.’

 
‘You know someone who could decipher these, really? So who’s your sister? Is she the woman who works here? If it is she was taken to the Grand hotel yesterday by some Arab men.’

 
‘Well what are we standing here for then? C’mon let’s go,’ Blaze said.

 
‘Blaze, storming into there right now will make matters worse. We'll go back to Stride's place,’ I said, ‘and come up with a plan.’

 
‘Sorry to disappoint, but no can do. Just got a text from Jimmy, the police have raided my place. Seems like our foreign Egyptian friends have alerted the authorities, and said I have abducted April.’

 
‘You're fucking kidding? Who would do a thing like that?’ Blaze stammered.

 
‘I know who, and he’s not all he seems either.’

We all turned around sharply towards the do
or and gasped at the wolf walking casually over to us.

 
‘What the fuck is that? A dog?’ Stride yelled.

 
‘I wanna know why it's talking in my head?’ Blaze blurted out.

 
‘Fear me not my friends, my name is Randulphr, protector of the ancient secrets.’

 
‘What are you doing here?’

 
‘You know it?’ Draven asked me.

 
‘We met earlier, outside Stride's place.’

 
‘Jafar, or to you my friend,’ he looked at Stride. ‘Jimmy is not to be trusted. He is after the Ankh for himself. He betrayed us when the protection shield was broken at the compound. Mardok sent us to save you but we were too late. Another vampire, a half breed is on the loose, he is working with him.’

 
‘A half breed you say?’ Draven said.

 
‘Yes that’s right, there is another.’

We all went silent for a while.

Stride stroked his white beard, and stood beside Draven, thinking things through as he normally does.

Part of me wasn
’t so shocked to hear about a half breed having just found out about Draven, but nonetheless it wasn’t a good thing to hear right now.

‘
So you did not kill my family?’ I asked.

‘
No, never. We trusted Amroath, but unfortunately one of you did break the agreement.’

‘
And Jimmy is what?’ Stride asked. ‘Not that I particularly want to hear it.’

‘
He's one of the hounds of the apocalypse.’

‘
You mean he’s a fucking wolf?’ Stride said. ‘That can’t be fucking right; I’ve known him too long. Don’t you think I would’ve found out?’