Memorias de vampiro libro VII

 

Disclaimer: I took 3 fictional characters from 3 books I like very much: Anaxagoras, from Cristina Rodriguez’ Thya from Sparta. Lucius Cornelius Macro, from Simon Scarrow’s Under the Eagle series and Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris’ The Sookie Stackhouse novels. These are not mine, and all credit goes to their gifted authors. And again all credits about vampire society goes to White Wolf’s Vampire the Masquerade.

 

In the Depths of the Abyss

 

 

Put a stake! Through my heart

And drag me into sunlight

So awake! For your greed

As you're slaying the dreamer

(Nightwish, Slaying the Dreamer)

 

Mexico city, 2010

 

- I hate planes –that was the millionth time that Lucius complained about the trip. The 2002 years old Roman hated cars, trains, planes, motorcycles and everything that he considered a modern device of transportation. The only one that was fine with him, besides horses of course, were ships; he didn’t complain about ships… well, not too much.    

    

As Hephaistion had told Zophiel, he had called his friends to accompany him to Mexico City in order to look for Vikos and the final fragment of Kaine’s sword. Anaxagoras had been a little hard to find but at the end he had accepted to travel from the UK to Mexico; they would meet him at the airport. Lucius, to Hephaistion utterly surprise, wasn’t in Rome terrorizing the new Prince of the city; well “new” was a way of saying he was not one thousand years old. Carlo was a 4 hundred years old Ventrue who was governing the city, for the sect known as the Camarilla, for a hundred years now.

 

But poor Carlo feared Lucius beyond all reason; and, since Lucius thought that everything Carlo did was wrong, they had a very difficult relation. Sometimes Hephaistion felt sorry for the Prince, Lucius was not only older, much older, he was much more stronger and, if one night the Roman decided to give Carlo the final death, no one would raise as much as one finger to protect the Prince. And Carlo knew this. 

 

- You never told me why did you left Rome –asked Hephaistion trying to change the subject of the horrible trip by plane and, why these artifacts were witchcraft that should never have been created —Did Carlo kick you out? 

 

Lucius roared with laughter scaring the people around them, who were retrieving their luggage.

 

- In order to do that, he would need balls, and I’m afraid that he lost them at some point in 1680, during the time of the castrati in the Italian opera –that made Hephaistion and Eric laughed. 

 

The Viking’s ghoul was behind them looking for the vampires’ luggage and things.

 

- But…—the Macedonian tried to stop laughing—You have to admit Eric, that Lucius still remembers the castrati –he said teasing the Roman.

 

- Go to hell! –exclaimed Lucius making them laugh again—At least I don’t sleep with anyone and everyone –he teased Hephaistion.

 

- There you are right Lucius, I sleep with anyone –said the Macedonian soberly, brushing his hair back—I even slept with you.

 

Eric laughed again.

 

- You two are very funny tonight –Lucius was trying to look angry, but failed miserably. He was too happy even if Hephaistion didn’t know why exactly.

 

- You started Lucius –said Eric, trying to embrace him, but the Roman moved away.

 

- We are changing the subject. You never told me, why are you in America? –the Macedonian insisted—I thought you swore to never come here. 

 

- I came to visit Eric –said Lucius with simplicity.

 

Hephaistion blinked surprised. Last time he had seen Lucius the Roman had had a fight with Eric. For what the Macedonian knew, his friends had gone to London to the premier of Romeo and Juliet almost 400 years in the past, and after that Lucius and Eric weren’t talking to each other. In fact, things had gone so bad that the Macedonian truly feared they would never solve their problems. When Hephaistion called Eric to ask for his help, about 2 nights ago, he barely hid his surprise when he heard Lucius was with him in Shreveport. What had changed?

 

- Why don’t you tell Phai the truth? –asked the Viking making his Sire uncomfortable—You didn’t came to see me –he turned to look at the Macedonian—He didn’t came to see me. He was in New York when I received a phone call from the bank telling me that Lucius was trying to open an account for several million dollars, unable to prove his income, and had mentioned my name.

 

- And why did they call you? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- Because I’m one of his best clients.

 

- And why were you trying to open an account? –the Macedonian asked Lucius—You who can’t hate more modern society.

 

- I was tired of hiding part of my…fortune in a grave –said the Roman with all dignity—Shut up Eric! –he exclaimed when he saw the Viking laughing again. Of that peculiar group of millenarian vampires the only one who had adapted perfectly to the modern world was Eric.

 

- And? –the Macedonian insisted when neither continued the story.

 

- Well, I took the first flight to New York and, literally, jumped from a helicopter to see him…we had to talk –explained Eric. 

 

Of course they had to talk! –thought Hephaistion. If he didn’t recall wrong the problem between the 2 of them was that Lucius was in love with his Child but never admitted it, and Eric was sure that his Sire hated him. The Macedonian could hardly blame Eric, sometimes even he thought Lucius hated him for the way in which he treated the Viking. 

 

- He left me his diary –said Eric, his blue eyes on the Roman, who avoid to look directly at him. Hephaistion knew that Lucius had a diary but it really surprised him to hear that he had let someone to read it—And…we talked and, well, now he is my lover –the Viking couldn’t hide his happiness making the Macedonian smiled. His good mood was contagious. 

 

- I’m not your lover, you are my lover –Lucius corrected him.

 

- What’s the difference? –Eric questioned him.

 

- What’s the…? There is a difference…at least for me –said the Roman just to say something.

 

- Wow! You are dating –said Hephaistion truly amazed, walking with them to the exit while the ghoul took their things to his master’s place.

 

- We are not dating, who do you think I am? A lovesick girl? –said an indignant Roman.

 

The Macedonian saw amused how Eric was the one holding Lucius’ passport. It wouldn’t surprise him if the Viking told him he had been the one who got one for his archaic Sire. Hephaistion almost laughed remembering the discussion Lucius had with the immigration guy when the poor man asked if he was Italian. Two thousand years later and, for Lucius, would always exist a difference between being Italian and being Roman, and he was Roman. There had been a civil war because of this back at the time of Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Marius. 

 

- I would never understand you, Lucius –said the Macedonian smiling—Not you and not Romans, I lived for centuries in Rome and I never could understand your homophobia.

 

- It’s not homophobia –said Lucius— We are Romans not deprave Greeks…

 

- Who is a deprave Greek? –asked the Spartan, suddenly appearing in front of them.

 

- I…I…never mind –Hephaistion shook his head. The only person capable of making Lucius stammer was his Sire: Anaxagoras.

 

XXX

 

- What now? –asked Anaxagoras, once they reached the street. It was a cold and wet night; it had been raining just a few minutes before they arrived at the city.

 

Hephaistion didn’t answer immediately; his dark gray eyes were surveying the desert street with all his senses on alert. 

 

- Azrael told me she would send a woman to meet us here –said the Macedonian, without looking at them.

 

Lucius crossed his arms.

 

- I don’t like this –he said in a low voice—I never liked the Sabbath, but the Black Hand –he shook his head—They are even worst.

 

- I have heard of them, but never took the time to know who the hell are they –said Eric, brushing his long blond hair back.

 

- In a few words they are religious fanatics –explained Anaxagoras, somehow relief to see it was a night without moon. One problem less, no werewolves—The members of the Black Hand are among the strongest vampires within the ranks of the Sabbath; they truly believe the Gehenna is happening soon and they are preparing for the coming of the Antediluvians.

 

- The Gehenna? The end of the world? –asked the Viking.

 

Every vampire, no mattered how young he or she was, had heard about the Gehenna, also known by the mortals as Apocalypse, Armageddon, Ragnarok…and so on. Vampires believed that Kaine would come back and his return would bring the Gehenna; it was also foretold that the Antediluvians, the oldest vampires, the most powerful ones and the founders of the vampire clans, would rise again and would claim the blood of the weak, a massive purge where only the strongest and worthy ones would prevail.

 

- I told you, religious fanatics –said the Spartan—They have among their ranks bloodlines that belong exclusively to them and I heard that, they kidnap and raise mortal children to later transform them into vampires. 

 

- That’s monstrous! –exclaimed Eric.

 

The Viking wasn’t the most sweet, loving and caring person in the planet, in fact, some of the mortals who knew him thought he was a cold hearted monster that care for no one other than himself; but for him, at his mortal 26 years old, to become a vampire and to learn about the World of Darkness had been a shock. Sometimes, he thought that his memories from his mortal days were the ones who kept him from becoming a complete monster; just like Hephaistion. He couldn’t imagine what kind of creature were the one who, since he or she was a kid, lived among vampires, and not any vampires, the Black Hand.

 

- What I don’t understand –said Lucius pacing around—Is why Vikos took the fragment and why did he came here?

 

- She –Hephaistion corrected him, turning to see the Roman. It was so funny to see his friends dressed like that: in jeans, T-shirt, jacket…or in Anaxagoras case, looking very formal. He had seen them wearing all kinds of styles through 2 thousand years, but that never ceased to amuse him, even more knowing that the Viking was the one who chose and bought Lucius’ cloths—Azrael told me Vikos is now a woman.  

 

- Whatever –said Lucius.

 

- I had been thinking about that since I knew Vikos was behind the attack to the antique store –said the Macedonian—And, I think Kaine’s sword may be connected to the Gehenna.

 

The Roman uncrossed his arms.

 

- What are you saying? Completing the sword is going to call Kaine? –he asked truly in shock.

 

No one in that group had thought about this.

 

- I don’t know for sure, but it’s a possibility –said Hephaistion.

 

Someone who didn’t know the Macedonian would have asked “and you are willing to call the end of the world upon us just to bring Alexander back to life?” The answer was yes, so his friends didn’t bother to ask. Besides, they didn’t know for sure the Gehenna would come if they complete the sword; they would worry about that later, when they had to.

 

Eric, standing behind the Roman, took him lovingly by the shoulders; but Lucius moved away uncomfortable with public displays of affection; besides, the Viking was by far taller than him and that made him looked ridiculous.

 

- Someone is coming –said Anaxagoras, long before a peculiar young woman with pink short hair appeared. She too was a member of the Tzimisce clan, and the tattoos on her arms looked alive, as if they could come out her skin and stand in front of them.

 

She stopped abruptly when she found 4 very old, very strong and very handsome vampires. As Lucius once had said, when a vampire turned one thousand years they became more divine, and even he, who hadn’t been specially good looking as a mortal, could make a crowd turned to admire him now.

 

- You are A.J.? –asked Hephaistion when he saw the woman wasn’t going to speak any time soon.

 

- I…I…—the woman needed a few moments—Yes, I’m A.J. The Templar Azrael called and…you want to go to the Black Hand, right?

 

The Macedonian didn’t answer, because it was obvious he wanted to do that if she had spoken to Azrael.

 

A.J. shook her head, forcing herself to wake up.

 

- I can take you all to their headquarters –she added.

 

- Good –said Hephaistion.

 

XXX

 

- How is that you know the Black Hand? –asked Eric, once they were inside her car; a very old truck that had seen better days.

 

- Oh! I used to date someone who worked for their leader –said A.J., still feeling very nervous having them so close. She was just 97 years old, not even an ancillae; the term they used to call a vampire who was a hundred years old—Azrael also asked me to look for information about Vikos.    

 

- And? –asked Hephaistion without looking at her, his dark gray eyes on the city. The New Year was close and the Christmas decorations could still be seen all around the place. How many New Years had the Macedonian seen in his long no life?

 

- She arrived 3 days ago –said A.J.—I heard she is in deep trouble with the Black Hand –she whistled—And she offered to give them a fragment of Kaine’s sword to appease their leader.

 

- Do you know who has the fragment now? It’s still in Vikos’ hands? –the Macedonian wanted to know.

 

The woman nodded.

 

- Yes. Vikos has it, she hasn’t gave it to the Black Hand yet, but –she made a dramatic pause, enjoying to have Hephaistion’s attention—She left it with the guys of the circus. 

 

- The guys of the circus? –asked Lucius frowning, feeling how Eric was trying to embrace him, surrounding him by the shoulders on the back seat.

 

- The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari –explained Hephaistion— It’s a Tzimisce circus.

 

Nobody said a word but his 3 friends were thinking the same thing: A Tzimisce circus, what kind of circus was that? They truly didn’t want to know, but they would help Hephaistion with everything they could; besides they weren’t cowards, they could deal with everything.

 

The Macedonian, who was sitting at the front seat, turned and saw Eric whispering something in Lucius’ ear; the Roman smiled and, as an answer, brushed his lips against the Viking’s neck. For the first time since Hephaistion knew them, he felt jealous of his friends. He knew Lucius was in love with his Child, and he knew that Eric loved him back, but he had never saw them so happy. It took them one thousand years to be together, it would take Hephaistion 2 thousand to be again with Alexander?     

 

The Macedonian closed his eyes for a moment. He was being childish and shouldn’t be; he would see Alexander again and should feel happy for his friends. 

 

XXX

 

A.J. left them at the circus place and gave Eric his cell phone number, since Eric was the only one who knew how to use one. Anaxagoras surveyed their surroundings with distrust, it was a lonely, dark, and cold wasteland hidden behind two very old buildings that looked deserted. From where the Spartan was standing, he saw, what it looked like a common circus, just that there was no one outside. It looked like an abandoned place.

 

- Have you ever been at this…circus? –asked Anaxagoras without looking at Hephaistion.

 

The Macedonian cocked his head.

 

- Just once, it’s a…peculiar place for a Tzimisce –he said—Azrael likes the place, and I liked the owner, Caligari –he smiled. 

 

- You sleep with him too? –asked Lucius, teasing him.

 

- Yes, Lucius; why do you ask? Are you jealous? –Hephaistion struck back—I’m very lucky that Vikos decided to leave the fragment here –he continued—It will be easier to retrieve it.  

 

Unlike the exterior, inside the circus was crowded, mostly members of the clan Tzimisce could be seen there, but Hephaistion also recognized members of the Toreador anti tribe clan, the branch of the Toreador clan that had refused to serve the Camarilla and was counted in the ranks of the Sabbath. There were also other members of the Sabbath there, and a couple of Baali, a very strange and cruel bloodline, not properly a clan because they were very few and they didn’t descend from an Antediluvian, but they were feared even in the Sabbath.

 

The darkness of the place was like the curtain of a theater of unspeakable horrors. Every labyrinthine corner surprised their eyes with the arts of the undead, which showed up as pieces of a long nightmare. Flesh and bone had being warped to match the sinuous patterns of the mind masters of this circus of the night; lives and wills, all crushed just to give birth to a show that could rip screams out of the children of Kaine themselves.

 

A woman with red skin and long horns supported herself in just the black bones of her legs, and she smiled a feverish smile to them.

 

A gorgeous man and woman were embraced in a Victorian divan, never to let go as their bodies were welded together. The perfect commitment.

 

Many eyes followed them from the shadows as they passed; many more were too lost in their own hells to notice them, and some others showed them their sublime agony with something akin to pride. Madness took form in them, but if no one saw it then they did not exist.

 

Interesting –thought Hephaistion, walking among them as if he owned the place.

 

- What are we looking for? –asked Anaxagoras, repulsed at the decadent spectacle.

 

- A man with a modify ghoul called Cesare –said the Macedonian, as if they were in the park watching the swans and the balloon sellers.

 

The Spartan made a face. He hated Tzimisce ghouls because these vampires used to reduce human beings into depraved and hideous toys to amuse their insane curiosity. It was quite a sight.

 

- I have a question –said a very uncomfortable Lucius. He would never get used to this kind of evilness and cruelty—How do you know that this Caligari is going to give you the fragment?

 

Hephaistion smiled almost sweetly.

 

- Everybody wants to do me favors –he said—Ever since I slept with him he has been dying to do it again. He will give me the fragment.

 

The Roman said no more.

 

Anaxagoras made another face when he saw the famous Caligari, he was the kind of vampire he hated, the kind he didn’t understand and had no intentions in doing so, with a decadent and twisted beauty in him. And, as Hephaistion had predicted, Caligari was more than willing to help him, but…

 

- You know Vikos –he said—She is dangerous and well connected.

 

- Are you saying that you are afraid of her? –the Macedonian teased him.

 

- I said nothing of the sort –Caligari assured him—But she entrusted me with that fragment.

 

- Do you know what kind of problem does she have with the Black Hand?

 

- As a matter of fact I do –said Caligari amused—She insulted their leader –Hephaistion laughed, who is his or her right mind insults the leader of the Black Hand?—Apparently Vikos, and the infamous Teresita, had a reunion with Polonia at New York. Teresita, as the leader of the Manus Nigrum, was asked for help in the war against the Camarilla. Well, Teresita said they couldn’t help because they had more important things to attend, they have signs, she said, that Kaine is coming very soon. As you can imagine Vikos was furious, she laughed and said that was nonsense and called Teresita…how was it? Oh yes, a lunatic, fanatic and a moron. The Black Hand took it as a personal insult to all of them and now they want her brightening sunrises.

 

- And they agreed to forget everything if she gave them the fragment?

 

- That’s what Vikos said.

 

Hephaistion gave him his most charming and seductive smile and softened his voice.

 

- Then, everything it’s quite simple, don’t you think? –he said—You give me the fragment, and the Black Hand gives Vikos the final death before she can do as much as to raise a finger against you.

 

And I get my revenge at last –thought the Macedonian. Vikos had killed Sasha, the reincarnation of Alexander’s soul, and now he would assure that the Black Hand killed Vikos, and knowing the Black Hand it wasn’t going to be pretty...or quick. 

 

- Now, now. What makes you think I’m going to give you the fragment so easily? –asked Caligari—If you and the Black Hand want it, then it must be very valuable.

 

- As I see this, you can stay here wondering why is a worthless piece of metal so valuable, or you can trade it for something you have wanted for a very long time –said the Macedonian.

 

XXX

 

- I can’t believe he is actually doing this –said Lucius, leaving the circus with Eric and Anaxagoras—Did you see that freak? 

 

- Lucius, Phai is perfectly capable of taking care of himself –said Anaxagoras, now feeling much better after leaving that place—And for me, I’m going to my haven. 

 

- You have a haven here? –asked the Roman with curiosity.

 

- What did I teach you? You must always have a haven in every city you are planning to visit –the Spartan scolded him as if he were a small child—Where are you staying?

 

- He is coming with me –said Eric before his Sire could do as much as open his mouth.

 

- That’s not true –said the Roman—Eric is staying with me. 

 

The Viking decided to say nothing. He couldn’t blame Lucius for being so cold with him in public, and sometimes in private too, he had been a Roman Centurion and served in the Legions for 15 years before becoming a vampire; Eric was sure that if he had met Lucius when he was still alive, he wouldn’t have been much different, well except for the fact that the Roman, when he was alive, was as intolerant as many old Republican Romans regarding homosexual relationships.

 

And as many Viking men of my hometown –thought Eric, smiling. 

 

XXX

 

- How did it go last night? –asked Eric when they saw Hephaistion the following night.

 

The Macedonian was so happy that he couldn’t stop smiling.

 

- Perfect! –he said—The last fragment of Kaine’s sword is mine –he announced proudly.

 

- What now? –asked Anaxagoras.

 

- Now, I have to perform a very complicated ritual that will take months to complete –explained the Macedonian—I’m coming back to New York and I’ll let you know when I have everything ready…what are you doing now?

 

- I’ll go back to Europe –said the Spartan—I don’t like this continent.

 

- And I’m coming back to Shreveport with Lucius –said Eric.

 

- Why are you staying in New York? –asked Lucius with curiosity—What are you doing there.

 

- Oh, you’ll never guess –said Hephaistion mysteriously.

 

They headed back together to the airport, Eric’s ghoul was driving. Again, it was a cold night and the thunders and lightings were announcing a terrible storm, gusts of wind whipped the trees making them bow at their mercy, and for a moment Hephaistion wondered if it was a hurricane. Of course that this was unlikely because hurricanes never reach Mexico City.

 

Three black and armor trucks appeared almost from nowhere and blocked their way, making the ghoul to stop the car abruptly making the tires screech.

 

- What now? –asked Lucius with all his senses on alert.

 

 - I-I-I don’t know, sir –answered Eric’ ghoul scared—They just appeared suddenly and…

 

- It’s the Black Hand –said Hephaistion.

 

- How do you know that? –asked the Viking.

 

- A hunch.

 

Hephaistion’s hunch was correct, as soon as they came out of the car they were surrounded by a group of 10 vampires, almost all of them part of the Assamite clan, the assassins, but their leader was different, a tall man of dark skin with a series of tattoos on his bald head dressed in an expensive suit.

 

- I don’t want to lose time here –said the dark man, walking to them—I know you have a fragment of a blue metal and you will give it to me now.

 

Lucius laughed rudely.

 

- What makes you think that we are going to obey your orders? –he asked, challenging, and not one bit scared. That caught the newcomer’s attention.

 

- You are surrounded and outnumber, I promise to kill you quickly if you cooperate.

 

- I have a better idea –said the Roman—Why don’t you and your “cooperation” get the hell out of here?

 

The dark man smiled amused.

 

- What’s your name? –he asked with interest.

 

- Lucius Cornelius Macro –the man’s eyes shone with excitement. 

 

- You are Roman.

 

That caught Hephaistion’s attention, why was this so important?

 

- I am –said Lucius proudly—Who the hell are you?

 

- My name is Masika, a member of the Brujah anti tribe clan.

 

- Never heard of you sunshine –said the Roman.

 

- Oh, but you have heard of the man I served almost all my mortal life –Hephaistion didn’t like this. The Brujah smiled—I was one of the most trusted men of Hannibal Barca.

 

The Macedonian started to worry. This was bad, very bad, Masika was older than Lucius and Eric and almost the same age as Hephaistion, the only one there who could defeated him easily was Anaxagoras, and judging by the Spartan expression he was thinking the same thing.  

 

- Lets do this, Roman –said Masika—If you defeat me, I will let you all go; but if I win I’ll have your head as a trophy. 

 

- Deal –said Lucius before somebody else could say something.

 

- Lucius you are insane –said an extremely worried Viking, while Masika took off his jacket—That man is older than you.

 

- So? I can win, I know it –said the Roman stubbornly, drawing his gladius, a short Roman sword.  

 

- You can’t win –said Eric angry.

 

- You are insulting me –Lucius answered starting to get furious.

 

- To tell you the truth is an insult? –the Viking insisted.

 

- I’m your Sire and I’m stronger than you, don’t you dare to talk to me as if I were the blond waitress you used to date –said the Roman in a terrible mood.

 

- I can’t let you do this –said Hephaistion, approaching his friend—The fragment is mine I should be the one fighting against him. 

 

- This has nothing to do with the fragment; didn’t you listen? The man is a Carthaginian and a Brujah, you know the clan Brujah was the one who controlled Carthage and they have always hated my clan, the Ventrue, for destroying their favorite city –said Lucius—This is my fight. 

 

- Anaxagoras say something to him –asked Hephaistion, he wanted the fragment but not at the expense of his friend's no-life.

 

- Lucius, this man is much stronger than you –said the Spartan very serious.

 

- We don’t know that, we just know he is older –said the Roman stubbornly. For vampires age and strength was the same thing.

 

- Are you sure you can defeat him? –asked Anaxagoras holding his gaze.

 

- I know I can do it –his Sire nodded.

 

- Good luck –said the Spartan and, Eric and Hephaistion saw him as if he were crazy.

 

Two thousand years later I should know Anaxagoras better than this –thought the Macedonian shaking his head.

 

- And I don’t want any of you intervening in my fight, understood? –Lucius demanded, but Hephaistion and Eric said nothing.

 

The Spartan could have agreed with this madness but the Viking was thinking that, in the instance he saw his Sire loosing the fight, he would help him, even if Lucius hated him after that for the rest of his no-life, but he loved him too much to remain there watching him suffer the final death.

 

The rest of the members of the Black Hand stepped back and prepared to witness a great duel between 2 vampires of more than 2 thousand years old. Masika held an extremely long spear and prepare to attack his opponent.

 

- Do you know how many Romans have I killed? –asked Masika, teasing Lucius—Thousands upon thousands, many Romans begged for their pathetic lives, I wonder, when your time comes, would you beg too?

 

Lucius clenched his jaw furious, but he knew better than fall into his trap. Hephaistion saw Eric’s concern and felt the urge to say something to him, like “everything is going to be fine” but he couldn’t, he too was extremely worried for his friend.

 

It was an incredible fight. Both vampires knew many different Disciplines, starting with a very advance knowledge of Celerity which made them move at an impossible speed, Masika tried to pierce Lucius with his spear but Lucius transformed into mist. When the Roman tried to cut the Carthaginian’s arm, Masika turned his skin as hard as the marble. At first it appeared to be a fair fight, but Hephaistion soon noticed that Lucius was getting tired, in order to keep Masika’s pace he was pushing his body to the limit.

 

The Carthaginian noticed this and, at some point, he pushed the Roman even harder and his deadly spear tasted his ancient blood. Soon, Masika was hitting Lucius without pause and without mercy and Hephaistion had to take Eric by the arm to stop him before he intervened in the middle of the fight. 

 

- Let me go! –said the Viking, his fangs extended menacingly.

 

- He can win –said the Macedonian—He still can win –at some point in the fight he had changed his mind, and now he truly thought his friend had a change.

 

Masika pierced Lucius’ stomach. The Roman dropped his gladius, and the short sword hit the ground in a metallic sound. The rain poured down, falling upon the 2 warriors and the witnesses, but no one moved. Masika smiled horribly, but when he tried to retrieve his spear, the Roman took it with force, a thick tear of blood ran down at one side of Lucius’ mouth. The pain was excruciating, the edge of the spear eating his flesh and his insides, but Lucius endured it, he took advantage of his opponents surprise and, cut his throat, transforming his right hand into claws. Masika released the spear to take both hands to his neck and then, the Roman took the spear out and used it to cut the Carthaginian’s head.

 

That took the rest of Lucius strength and the fell on his knees. Eric was the first one to run at his side; the rain pouring down and the lightings illuminating everything, making the pool of blood under the Roman look silver.

 

- I…told you…I…win –said the Roman with difficulty.

 

- Shut up –said Eric, but his voice trembled. He embraced his Sire and felt the Roman leaning his head against his chest. 

 

- Don’t move –said Hephaistion, kneeling at his side. He used Vicissitude to close his wounds ignoring the cold rain—He almost got you.

 

- Almost…doesn’t count…

 

Anaxagoras stood defiant facing the rest of the vampires, but the sight of their headless leader served to scare them, and soon they were alone again.

 

- We can’t leave tonight –said Eric, watching Lucius’ body soaked in blood and water—We’ll stay another night.

 

- I’ll stay with you –said Hephaistion but the Viking shook his head.

 

- They are after the fragment; you should go now while you can –said Eric—I’ll call you as soon as we are back at Shreveport.

 

Hephaistion didn’t like the idea of leaving them, but he had to admit his friend was right.

 

- All right, but be careful –he said.

 

- I’ll stay with them; don’t worry –Anaxagoras reassured him.

 

The Macedonian nodded and left.

 

XXX