It was the morning of her birthday and her mother had said she could stay off school. Jess had taken the day off work and they were going to the city for a day of pampering and shopping.
Mia and Jess had their hair cut and nails done, and bought two new outfits for Mia. Jess still could not get Mia to wear a dress, but at least she had agreed to a black skirt along with the jeans, T-shirt, and navy blue camisole top. They had lunch at a fancy French restaurant. Jess hadn’t seen Mia smile and laugh so much in such a long time, so the expense had been worth it.
They arrived home at four thirty to find a large crate on the front porch. It had a big pink bow on it and a note saying ‘Happy birthday’ in large pink letters. Mia ran to investigate. There were holes in the sides but not large enough to see what was inside. And there was no card saying who had sent it. Jess was nervous. Mia was full of excitement. There was an arrow pointing to a latch saying ‘Open Here’. Mia opened the latch and there sat a white fluffy husky puppy with piercing blue eyes. It started wagging its tail at the sight of her.
“Who on earth has sent you a dog for your birthday? Is there a note?” Jess glanced around nervously. Was Phil letting her know he was around, that he was watching and maliciously laughing at Mia’s reaction, knowing she’d always wanted a puppy but wouldn’t be able to keep it? So typical of the evil bastard. Here’s the puppy you always wanted but not a chance in hell you’ll be able to keep it.
“I can’t see one!” Mia shouted. But when she saw the small angel identical to hers on the collar around the dog’s neck, she smiled. “Oh, Mom, can I keep it, please? It will be no trouble. I’ll do everything for it. You won’t even know it’s here.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? Look at it. It’s so cute and perfect in every way. It’s like the dog of my dreams, Mom.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to the dog to have it cooped up in the house all day while you’re at school and I’m at work. We’ve talked about it before.”
“I could ask Grandpa John to look after it while I’m at school.”
Jess felt torn, but one look at Mia’s face and she relented. How could she refuse her after what she’d been through? And it will backfire on that son of a bitch if I let Mia keep the dog.
“Okay, but it’s your responsibility, and only if Grandpa agrees.”
Mia’s face was one big smile. “We’ll have to think of a name. How about ‘Angel’?”
Jess had noticed the small angel on the dog’s collar. Her stomach did summersaults and she felt physically sick. “It looks a lot like the one you found in the woods.” Did Phil know about the angel pendant Mia had? Was this another way of scaring them? She wasn’t sure. She was suspicious of everything these days.
Mia smiled. Angel. Yes, that was perfect.
***
The weeks passed quickly for Mia now she had Angel for company. Grandpa John agreed to look after the pup for the first few months until he was able to build a kennel in the yard and Angel was old enough to be left on her own throughout the day. Mia doted on Angel. They spent every spare minute of the day together, and as Angel grew bigger and more protective, Jess gave Mia more freedom.
Over the next year Cain went back to see Mia whenever he got the chance, so he would know she was okay. But he always made sure she never saw him. On a couple of occasions, he suspected she knew he was there. He had thought that was impossible, that she could not feel his presence, but she had called his name more than once. On his last visit, he knew she didn’t need him, and so he would not see her again. This thought saddened him, but it was best for her. She didn’t need his type hanging around, attracting danger.
***
Helena had fallen in love with another human, Karl, and, despite what she had said, she could not leave this man. A short-term relationship with him was out of the question.
Helena sat at a table with Karl’s two brothers, his sister, mother, and grandmother. They stared at her, making Helena feel even more uncomfortable with her situation.
Karl’s youngest brother was drunk. He leaned over in his seat, and he flung his arms around Helen’s neck. The glass still in his hand sloshed the liquid inside. As the alcohol dripped down the back of her head he slurred his words. “This one’s a keeper.”
Karl, a blond-haired, twenty-nine year old with green eyes took hold of his brother’s arms and then removed them from around Helena’s throat. “For God’s sake, do you have to get drunk all the time?” He gave Helena an apologetic smile. “Family! I’ll get you a towel.”
Before Helena had a chance to answer the grandmother said in a shaky voice. “You seem a little old for Karl.”
Helena stifled a laugh. “Maybe a little.”
“Grandma, don’t give her a hard time. I love her.” Karl’s eyes never left Helena’s.
The old lady crossed her arms and chewed on her gums. “I’m not, Karl. She’s just older than I thought she would be.” She leaned her head to the side. “Not that I’m saying there’s anything wrong with that, but it doesn’t seem to last when there’s a big age gap.” She glared at Helena. “So how old are you?”
Helena shuffled about in her seat.
“That’s enough, Grandma.”
The old woman huffed but then looked apologetically at Helena. “Sorry.”
Helena smiled. “It’s okay.”
The lights dimmed and Karl’s father walked in with a birthday cake. You could hardly see the writing on it, as there were so many candles. Everyone started singing Happy Birthday.
Helena felt Karl’s hand slip into hers.
“We can leave as soon as she cuts the cake,” he whispered.
Karl’s father passed behind them with the cake. He placed it on the table and the old woman proceeded to blow the candles out.
Helena sniffed the air around herself, as someone shouted, “Your hair’s on fire, Helena!”
Karl and Helena both began furiously putting the flames out. Just to make sure, Karl poured his glass of wine over her head. Then she sat staring at the chunk of her hair in her hand. Karl is going to die! Cain’s vision etched on her mind. She lay covered in blood watching a human male die. Cain’s words rang in her ears. ‘Don’t cut your hair, Helena.’ And yet she had no choice now. They had to leave the city, go somewhere remote, somewhere she could protect Karl and keep him safe.
***
Cain was searching the Internet for strange and violent deaths, going through all the vampire fan sites that had sprung up over the past few years. It amused him how the humans created what they thought was a good vampire name for these forums, blogs and social networking sites: Nightstalker, Baron this or Baroness that. Most of the time there was very little of interest but he was hopeful that if Vasile made his presence known this community would be talking about it. He was right. He read the conversation twice.
Goliath: “Shit man vamps are real. I saw one the other night.”
Baron Von Drac: “Were you tripping?”
Goliath: “I don’t do drugs.”
Baron Von Drac: “Okay, where did you see one?”
Goliath: “Just outside Glasgow town center, near Pollok Park. I saw him kill a woman!”
Baron Von Drac: “It was probably just some drunken weegie.”
Goliath: “I’m telling you dude, it was a vampire, and he was real! I saw him biting her neck. Man, he had beaten the crap out of her as well.”
Baron Von Drac: “We all know what Pollok’s like. It’s full of head cases. Did you go to the cops?”
Goliath: “No, I ran. I shit myself.”
Baron Von Drac: “You need to report it!”
Goliath: “You know the cops think we’re all weirdo’s. They won’t believe me.”
Cain opened another tab and scanned for the local Glasgow news. There had been a few murders over the last month, but three stood out. Three women had been found murdered in the last two weeks, but no exact details had been reported on how they had died. The rep
orts spoke of animal attacks, gang rapes and being beaten to death. The last reported death was four days ago.
He booked his flight and two days later landed at Glasgow International Airport.
He took a taxi to the south-western side of the city, to Pollok Country Park where he followed the walking trails around a beautiful country manor, complete with gardens, maze and greenhouses. It was a picturesque place to be on a warm summer’s day with the gardens in full bloom, scenting the air and attracting many bees and other pollinators. He watched Clydesdale horses work adjoining fields while people meandered around the grounds taking it all in. He crossed the bridge over the river and idled for a while, watching the water flow past. Some highland cattle reminded him of Haygarth, a beast of a man with a gentle nature and the heart of a saint.
Late in the afternoon, having got his bearings so he might return when it was dark, he left to find accommodation. Maybe, he thought, he would get lucky this time. There were so many places you could lie in wait in the park.
***
Cain left his hotel and walked back toward the park. Suddenly he heard girls screaming. He ran to the end of the street and saw two girls fighting, one swinging a Buckfast bottle at the other.
“Ya smashed me friend’s head in, ya bitch!” she yelled.
Cain watched them for a minute. The alcohol and vomit stench coming from them both made him hold his breath.
The girl with the Buckfast bottle looked over at him. “Take a picture, why don’t ya. It’ll last longer.”
He turned away from them.
“Faggot!” she yelled. Two boys of around sixteen years old turned the corner. She grinned. “Hiya, boys. See that faggot there?” She pointed toward Cain as he was walking away. “He’s just been pervin’ at us.”
The boys looked at Cain. Cain carried on walking. “Hey, faggot, what ya doin’ staring at me bird?”
Cain kept walking until he heard footsteps running in his direction. He turned and watched the two boys, one carrying a machete, and the girl catch up to him.
The girl started laughing, and said to the one with the machete, “Kill the fucker.”
These fools are starting to annoy me. Cain tensed as he felt the presence of another vampire. His eyes closed and his body shook, pain rumbling through him. The three teenagers were staring at him like he was a freak. Cain opened his eyes and hissed at them, his fangs inches from the machete boy’s face. When they screamed, he turned to face the other threat.
The sound of metal bouncing off the ground and footsteps racing away was broken by a bellowing laugh. Cain grinned as the vampire came closer.
“You scared the hell out of them, young vampire.”
“Haygarth!”
Haygarth grabbed Cain’s hand and started shaking it vigorously.
“I’m happy to see you too, but can I have my hand back before you shake my arm off?”
Haygarth let go of Cain’s hand and grinned at him. “Now you must come and visit Morvin.”
Cain regained his composure. “Is Vasile here? I’ve heard of the deaths in the park.”
Haygarth’s face saddened. “He was, but we took care of it. I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to contact you.”
“Is he dead?”
“No, but he is gone.” Haygarth saw the pain in Cain’s eyes. “There are four others of our kind here. We could not allow him to—”
Cain’s face softened. “There is no need to explain. I understand. So Morvin is here with you?”
Haygarth’s face lit up. “Yes, though she misses the Highlands. We had to leave. We had been there too long. She will be happy to see you.”
Cain chuckled. “I will be happy to see her as well.”
Haygarth slapped Cain on the back, causing him to lurch forward a few steps. “It’s not far.”
***
Cain returned from Scotland feeling more lost than ever. His year with Haygarth and the other vampires made him once again question his life, and still Vasile eluded him. He realized Helena had been right, and he couldn’t allow this to rule his life any more. Mia was growing up. She was safe and didn’t need him. The time was right to try and start a new life. He moved to Canada, where his shop had been empty for a couple of years.
It would be Mia’s sixteenth birthday that year and Cain wondered whether it would be a good idea to send her the diamond earrings he had bought for her. Sixteen was an age to celebrate! Yet how would she explain them to her mother? Maybe it would be best to leave her alone, let her forget that he ever existed? She may well have forgotten about him by now anyway.
He was brought sharply out of his thoughts by a loud banging on his front door. He opened the door and his heart sank.
Chapter 17
Helena was missing an arm and looked like she would drop down dead in front of him at any second; his vision had come true.
He lifted her up and carried her over to the couch. As he gently put her down he stroked the side of her face. “Who did this to you, Helena?”
“It was Vasile,” were the words she spoke as she closed her eyes.
Cain was desperate to question her but he let her rest. Why now? Why Helena? That bastard isn’t getting away with this! The hunt is back on.
He watched Helena as she slept. She had cut her hair and dyed it the color of drying blood, and it suited her. She was a beautiful woman with a compassion that reminded him of his mother. She did not deserve this. He would get his revenge, for Helena as well as his mother. Vasile must be near. She could not have traveled far looking how she did. He would wait. Their kind did not take long to heal.
For the next two days Cain cared for Helena and eventually, after she had fed on the blood of a call girl Cain had brought home for her, she was well enough to tell him what had happened.
“Cain, I swear I have never known such a connection with a human. I have never felt like this with anyone,” she told him with deep sadness in her eyes.
“Everything was perfect in Alaska. Karl knew what I was and accepted it without question. He loved me, he didn’t care, and he had even wanted me to turn him into a vampire, which of course was never going to happen.” She took a few unsteady breaths as she stood up. She then began to cautiously pace the floor like a caged animal. “I thought he would be safe there.”
She attempted to pound the wall with her fist. “I was out hunting when I met that monster, Vasile. He had wanted to join me in the hunt. I told him I didn’t kill humans. He was appalled. He said I was a fool. He said we were gods with power over life and death and they should be begging us for mercy. I ignored him and left. There was no point arguing with his sort. That was the same day I got your email.”
Cain’s jaw tensed as he looked at her. “Why didn’t you reply? Why didn’t you tell me Vasile was in Alaska?”
Helena lowered her eyes. “I didn’t want to put you in danger. I thought you would be killed. I felt guilty and promised myself if I saw him again I would tell you.”
Cain relaxed. “What is done is done. When did he come back?”
“A week passed and with no sign of him I thought he had moved on. I was out hunting again when I felt that Karl was in trouble. As always, he was wearing the token I’d given him. I ran as fast as I could back to the house. Vasile was torturing Karl. He was throwing him about like he was a rag doll. I lunged at him and I knew it was going to end badly. Vasile was too fast and strong for me. He broke nearly every bone in my body, ripped my arm off, and sliced my throat open. I was bleeding to death.” Helena paused to compose herself.
“He killed Karl as I watched. I was helpless. There was nothing I could do. He didn’t even do it to feed, he never even drank his blood.”
She paused for a moment. “I did hurt Vasile, but not seriously. He would recover. But he left me there to die. I don’t think he thought I would survive.”
Cain looked down at the floor. “I’m so sorry, Helena.”
“After he left, I dragged myself over to Karl’s body, and I drank hi
s blood. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I had to, so I could heal some of my wounds, so I could avenge Karl’s death. I will kill that beast for what he did. Do you still want revenge, Cain?”
Cain sat there, thoughts of his mother running through his mind. “Oh, yes. I want my revenge, for my mother and myself. I have never been this close before. I can almost taste it.”
“When do we leave?”
“You will not be able to fight him. He will kill you for sure this time, Helena. I will leave for Alaska today. He will not get away this time.”
“We stand a better chance if we are together. He is very strong and very fast, Cain, and he is a lot older and wiser than you. Not to mention he’s completely insane. You will need help and I deserve my revenge too. You know what it’s like to lose someone you love because of him.”
“You will not survive again. You’re still weak and you only have one arm, for God’s sake. It would be best if you stayed here and let me handle him!”
“If you had not been here, if I had not received your email telling me you were in Canada, I would not have made it any further. I would have died. And life without Karl is no life. I have nothing left to live for except this. I need my revenge, and you will need my help, I can assure you of that, Cain. You will not deny me this.” Helena was annoyed. How could he even think she would walk away from this?
He pondered her words and he understood the meaning of them. “You do not plan on living after you’ve had your revenge, do you?” He was hurting. She was his only friend and she wanted to die from the loss of her lover, and he would try and stop her. In time she would recover, not completely, but she would be able to live again.
“No matter what the outcome, I have no purpose any more. We were human once. There is a reason they do not live as long as we do. A heart can only take so much.” In her heart she knew this to be true and this was her time to die.
“You’re right, Helena. I will not deny you this. We’ll feed tonight and leave in the morning.” Helena smiled at Cain. He told her he had something he needed to take care of and that she should rest. He would be back before dark.