Wolfgang's cellphone beeps as he disconnects the call.
"You know who that was just now, don't you?" he says to Zaiden who is beaten and bruised, slumped onto the floor.
There is no response.
"Looks like all my hard work is finally paying off."
Wolfgang leaves the apartment, stepping over his roommate's bodies as he walks towards the front door.
"Don't wait up."
[San Myushino -- 10:42 PM]
"Let's go," Luka whispers.
[Slayers -- 11:11 PM]
Karina sits alone.
She doesn't know what to expect of the man Wolfgang has become, but she knows what her mission is and who she is trying to protect.
Even so, she is afraid.
The scar on her neck has only just healed.
Footsteps head in her direction.
Wolfgang sits down across from the young woman. He folds his arms
and stares at her.
So much of him is different, she thinks, but also the same.
"Hi, Wolfgang," Karina greets him kindly, "Um... thank you for coming to see me. I know it's late--well, I guess that doesn't really matter for you." She coughs awkwardly.
Shit.
His stare is unwavering.
"I'm sorry, that was a stupid thing to say. I guess I'm just not
used to your new... form, yet." Karina says, smiling. "I'll try to be
more sensitive to those things from now on."
She tries to keep her hands from shaking. She could have had a drink but she thought maybe that would make her more nervous, so she abstained.
Don't be afraid... just be normal, she thinks.
Wolfgang breaks the awkward silence on his own.
"It's alright." He puts his hand to his face and rests on it, relaxing his posture. It seems like the human side of him is in control, for now.
Karina slowly becomes more comfortable with him, and she remembers how imposing he was even when they were a couple.
"I'm sorry for how things went down last time we were together." he says. "Back then, I still couldn't really control my powers. I should've known you'd be afraid of me."
Karina inhales sharply. She hadn't been expecting him to apologize
for anything, even if it was a little backhanded.
Here goes nothing.
"Wolfgang, honestly, now that I've thought about it for a few days, I... I think it's actually kind of hot how strong you are now. How easily you could... bend me to your will."
She runs her foot up Wolfgang's leg. She feels him flinch.
"You're kidding." he laughs. "I never figured you for that
kind of girl."
This is the first time she's seen him smile in a while.
He continues, "I clearly remember you telling me 'no' more than 'yes' back in the day."
She puts on what she hopes is her most seductive smile.
"It's been over a year since we were together last, Wolfgang. You'd be surprised how much I've changed, too." she says. She touches his hand with her fingertips.
God... I hope he's buying this.
The room feels uncomfortably warm.
"So, I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere and be alone
tonight? Like I told you on the phone, I can't stop thinking about you."
she says, shifting in her seat.
Wolfgang thinks for a moment.
Karina worries he's seeing through her ruse, but then he speaks.
"I'm glad you feel that way, 'cause that's what I've wanted for a long time."
His voice is low, and suddenly his eyes look hungry.
"M-me too." she says.
They stand up.
"Wait."
Wolfgang grabs her wrist.
Shit! she says internally, her heart racing.
Wolfgang covers his mouth as a hiss escapes his lips. It doesn't last as long as last time they were together, but the sound is more menacing.
Karina is frozen in her tracks. She desperately tries not to cringe.
The hissing finally stops.
Then, Wolfgang embraces her.
Instinctively, she reaches up to feel his broad shoulders.
Against her chest she can feel his heart beating fast and strong.
"I missed you." he murmurs.
His breath is hot against her neck.
The two make their way towards the forest, the direction Saint
Germain instructed Karina to go.
Wolfgang doesn't ask questions about where they're going. He simply wants to be alone with her.
Once they get a decent distance into the woods, Wolfgang suddenly
grabs Karina.
He holds her close.
She's startled, and tries to back away, but he doesn't let her. His grip on her is strong and tight, his hands more masculine than she remembers them being.
He brings his face closer to hers, looking deep into her eyes.
"Karina," he says softly, "I love you."
The warm air of his words breezes past her lips.
She is transfixed by his gaze. Memories of their life together flood back into her mind's eye.
Against her better judgement, she feels herself succumbing to his touch.
"Please don't run," he brushes his lips against her hairline. His
fingers run through her hair, lightly touching her small ears and the
nape of her neck.
What... was I doing? she wonders.
Her thoughts seem to be running away from her as she stands locked in this warmth.
He is so warm... for a vampire.
Slowly, Wolfgang begins to inch her head to one side, kissing her
lightly. His lips leave a hot trail across her forehead.
She closes her eyes.
Did it always feel this nice? she asks herself.
Lost in the reverie of his touch, she doesn't protest.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, however, there is a small voice that is yelling.
She ignores it.
She feels her neck exposing itself to the cool night air, the smell of pine fills her nostrils as she breathes deep.
Wolfgang lowers his face to her skin.
"Back away from the girl."
Saint Germain's voice comes loud, penetrating the still darkness.
Wolfgang's irritation at this interruption shows on his face. He grips Karina with his fingernails.
"You picked the wrong time to get in my way, old man." he snarls.
"On the contrary," Saint Germain raises his arm in a defensive posture.
"I believe I have arrived just in time."
As soon as he speaks, white wisps of energy begin to form around
his body, encircling him.
At the same time, black and blood red streams surround Wolfgang as if being ripped directly from his flesh.
Wolfgang drops to his knees in pain. An ungodly shriek erupts from his body, the echo bouncing off the large evergreens that surround them.
He clutches his head, the pain driving him into the same rage that was seen by Saint Germain only a day ago.
Karina tries to stand, but the horrendous noise blurs her vision
and deafens her. She feels herself falling closer to the soft forest
floor.
"I cannot say I desired this outcome, Wolfgang." Saint Germain
says, continuing to command forth his power. The white aura that
surrounds him grows even more awesome.
"Unfortunately, you have left me with no choice."
The pain Wolfgang feels is excruciating. His screaming does not
stop. The sound reverberates throughout the forest, sending birds
flocking into the night sky in terror.
[11:23PM]
Aylin, Luka and Noah have arrived at the San Myushino apartment complex where Zaiden and Max are being held captive.
Luka sees Max sprawled onto the floor. At a glance it's impossible to tell if he is alive or dead.
"Get ready," he says to them. "It might not be pleasant in there, but grab whoever you can and let's get the hell out of here."
"O-okay."
Aylin and Noah follow Luka into the apartment.
Luka kneels before Max. He touches his wrist, feeling for a pulse.
"This one's alive," he says, "but barely."
He looks up and sees Zaiden resting behind the couch.
"Check that one," he says.
"U-um, hello? Zaiden? I'm Aylin, Karina's niece. We--we've come to rescue you!"
She reaches her hand out to the man gently, taking small steps forward.
He doesn't take her hand and instead he gathers all his strength
and raises himself up off the floor, staggering terribly. His face is
covered in bloody bruises.
Aylin leaps back involuntarily as he lurches forward.
"Karina's niece... what the hell are you doing here?!" he growls.
Noah steps forward and speaks.
"We have come to take you to safety." he says. He raises his hand to Zaiden as if offering friendship to a feral animal.
"We have Karina under our care as well," he continues, "I am sure she is eager to see you."
As Noah speaks, Luka picks Max's limp body off the floor.
"Karina... she's with him." Zaiden says, teeth clenched, "She
doesn't want to see me anymore. She'd rather be with that fucking son of
a bitch murderer!"
He almost doubles over in his rage.
"Look, buddy. You can stay here if you want to, but I'm pretty sure your friend here would rather leave."
Luka has Max draped over his shoulder.
He looks at Noah.
"We've gotta get moving--now."
Noah and Aylin stare at Zaiden's battered face. It's obvious that
he's been through hell. They try not to flinch and continue to persuade
him to leave with them.
"Please, Zaiden," Aylin begs, "I'm sure once Karina sees you she'll be so happy you're alive."
Noah nods.
"I agree. She was clearly concerned for your safety when she found out you'd been held here against your will. She is a pivotal part of our mission to rescue you."
Zaiden falls silent as he considers Noah's words.
He finally relinquishes.
"Alright, fine." he says, "I'll go with you."
[11:55 PM]
Wolfgang's downfall seems imminent as Saint Germain relentlessly drains him of his life-force.
However, the powerful energy surrounding Saint Germain has reached
its limit.
He is starting to tire.
...He should be dead by now, he says to himself. A sense of foreboding dread penetrates his heart.
There is a sudden shift in the energy being transferred between Wolfgang and himself.
The howling and screaming that was so deafening not two seconds ago stops, morphing into something completely different and unexpected.
He sees Wolfgang rising to his feet slowly, the evil aura
surrounding him whirling faster, seemingly lifting him from the forest
floor.
Saint Germain feels a deep and sinister laughter breeze past his ears, blowing strands of his white hair away from his face.
The laughter isn't coming from the boy's mouth.
It is in the very air.
Wolfgang rises up, and the monster within him takes shape before Saint Germain's eyes.
The laughter comes again, but this time louder and demonic.
Saint Germain is thrown back, tossed into the air as if he weighs nothing.
He is crushed by the force of the monster's power as his energetic
aura dissipates completely. The pressure of Wolfgang's onslaught keeps
Saint Germain pinned on his back. Blood sprays from his limbs from the
force of his retaliation.
He feels fire in his veins as he struggles to get up, but it is useless.
Against this foe, he is powerless.
The monster bends to pluck Karina from the ground.
It holds her in its arms, blood and death swirling around them.
[12:45 AM]
Luka's group arrives at the mansion.
They are greeted by darkness.
Luka looks through the glass into the foyer.
"Looks like nobody's home."
"What?" Noah asks as he doubles over, his hands on his knees. He
still hasn't fully recovered from his injuries and supporting someone
else all this way has exhausted him.
"Saint Germain should have returned by now, surely."
"If anything's happened to Karina," Zaiden says through gritted teeth, "I'm gonna kill the bastard!"
[2:00 AM]
Inside the mansion, waiting has turned out to be harder than their original reason for leaving.
"Do you think... something happened to them?" Aylin asks, but nobody answers.
The probability for error grows greater with each passing minute.
"I mean, I'm sure they're fine! Maybe it's just taking longer than
they thought it would to... w-well, Saint Germain is there, so they
can't have gotten into too much trouble."
[2:15 AM]
Luka tries calling Saint Germain, but there is no answer.
[2:31 AM]
Two dark figures burst into the parlor.
Everyone's attention snaps towards the doors.
"Saint Germain, you're--"
Saint Germain falls to the floor, too weak to stand.
He is filthy with dirt and blood.
"Master..."
Noah starts to approach him.
"Master, wh--"
"We have failed." Saint Germain says weakly.
He does not stand, instead he remains kneeling before them, his head bowed in penitence.
"W-what do you mean, failed?" cries Aylin, panic rising in her
voice. "Where is Karina? What happened with Wolfgang?!"
"He has taken her."
Aylin's arms remain outstretched in terror, the reality of the situation quickly driving itself into her heart.
"I humbly ask your forgiveness," he continues, his voice withered with sorrow, "I could not stop Wolfgang, nor keep him from stealing away with Miss Moreno. He has a power that is more mighty than I ever would have anticipated. Not in a century could I have bested him alone--"
Zaiden doesn't allow Saint Germain to finish.
He knocks him to the floor, placing his foot upon his chest.
"You think an apology is gonna save anybody now?!" he roars, "Who do you think you are, letting Karina sacrifice herself like this!"
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right here, you bastard!"
Zaiden continues lashing out at Saint Germain. The pale man lays on the floor looking at the battered man above him, feeling the weight of his body pushing into his own.
The rage coming from Zaiden is equal to the guilt he feels. He welcomes the punishment.
Aylin is overcome with grief.
She crumbles as if she has no strength in her at all.
"Aylin!" Noah reaches both hands out to keep her upright.
"Alright, that's enough." Luka says, grabbing Zaiden and pulling him off of Saint Germain.
It's clear the young man's tirade is disturbing the girl.
Saint Germain rises to his feet, panting.
"It's quite alright," he says breathlessly. "If justice is to be
served, then let it be by the hands of those whose lives I have forever
altered."
Zaiden is let loose by Luka. He stands in silence, seemingly
deciding whether or not to serve his idea of justice before all who are
present.
He sighs.
"You saved Max, and for that I'm grateful," he says, "but if you think that makes up for using Karina as bait, you're dead wrong."
"You'd better fucking save her next, or I really will kill you."
He heads upstairs.
[4:57 AM]
Noah brought Aylin to his room after things quieted down. She cried herself into a restless sleep.
Fatigue fills Noah's entire body. Not only is he still injured,
the failure of their plan to kill Wolfgang has left him with nothing to
grasp hold of.
Only this girl in front of him can serve as his anchor.
Only she could possibly make him feel at peace in the midst of so much woe.
A nightmare plagues Aylin as she flails in her sleep.
Noah lays on the bed beside her.
He places his hands gently on her shoulders, bringing her back from whatever horror she is facing alone.
"Aylin... Aylin, it's alright."
"No... no!" she cries, seeing something Noah cannot.
She reaches out as if to hit something and he catches her wrist. He holds it in his hand, feeling its slenderness and softness.
Her pulse is running fast under her skin.
"Aylin..." he whispers.
He pulls her into his chest.
This feeling he longed for so strongly since the first time it happened, but never thought would bear such sorrow--he wanted to keep it forever, to one day transform it into something bright and joyous for her instead.
He hears her small voice murmuring to him.
"You were right, Noah... we never should have done this."
"It's all my fault."
She cries and he holds her.
He will hold her forever if he can.
"So now what, boss?"
Luka takes a drag on his cigarette.
They sit in the garden, watching the sunrise slowly kill the darkness around them.
"We find the girl, and finish what we set out to do." Saint Germain states matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, yeah, of course," Luka replies, "But what do we do about
this Wolfgang guy? It's not like just anyone can take you down."
He rubs a spot between his eyes.
"Whoever turned him must have been a strong motherfucker." he mutters.
Saint Germain gazes into the distance.
He replays the feeling of being helpless at the hands of a seemingly weak-willed vampire over and over in his mind. He recalls the sensation of being overcome by a force more powerful than his own, and his body being torn asunder.
Luka glances at him.
"What, Saint--you know who turned him?"
A cool breeze wafts through the garden carrying a sudden chill.
Birds begin to descant their morning song and the scent of flowers
floats past them and into nothingness.
"Yes," Saint Germain replies, "'Tis the man who killed my wife."
Continue to Part 16...
There is no response.
She doesn't know what to expect of the man Wolfgang has become, but she knows what her mission is and who she is trying to protect.
Even so, she is afraid.
The scar on her neck has only just healed.
So much of him is different, she thinks, but also the same.
"Hi, Wolfgang," Karina greets him kindly, "Um... thank you for coming to see me. I know it's late--well, I guess that doesn't really matter for you." She coughs awkwardly.
Shit.
She tries to keep her hands from shaking. She could have had a drink but she thought maybe that would make her more nervous, so she abstained.
Don't be afraid... just be normal, she thinks.
"It's alright." He puts his hand to his face and rests on it, relaxing his posture. It seems like the human side of him is in control, for now.
Karina slowly becomes more comfortable with him, and she remembers how imposing he was even when they were a couple.
"I'm sorry for how things went down last time we were together." he says. "Back then, I still couldn't really control my powers. I should've known you'd be afraid of me."
Here goes nothing.
"Wolfgang, honestly, now that I've thought about it for a few days, I... I think it's actually kind of hot how strong you are now. How easily you could... bend me to your will."
This is the first time she's seen him smile in a while.
He continues, "I clearly remember you telling me 'no' more than 'yes' back in the day."
She puts on what she hopes is her most seductive smile.
"It's been over a year since we were together last, Wolfgang. You'd be surprised how much I've changed, too." she says. She touches his hand with her fingertips.
God... I hope he's buying this.
The room feels uncomfortably warm.
Wolfgang thinks for a moment.
Karina worries he's seeing through her ruse, but then he speaks.
"I'm glad you feel that way, 'cause that's what I've wanted for a long time."
His voice is low, and suddenly his eyes look hungry.
"M-me too." she says.
They stand up.
Wolfgang grabs her wrist.
Wolfgang covers his mouth as a hiss escapes his lips. It doesn't last as long as last time they were together, but the sound is more menacing.
Karina is frozen in her tracks. She desperately tries not to cringe.
The hissing finally stops.
Instinctively, she reaches up to feel his broad shoulders.
Against her chest she can feel his heart beating fast and strong.
His breath is hot against her neck.
Wolfgang doesn't ask questions about where they're going. He simply wants to be alone with her.
He holds her close.
She's startled, and tries to back away, but he doesn't let her. His grip on her is strong and tight, his hands more masculine than she remembers them being.
He brings his face closer to hers, looking deep into her eyes.
The warm air of his words breezes past her lips.
She is transfixed by his gaze. Memories of their life together flood back into her mind's eye.
Against her better judgement, she feels herself succumbing to his touch.
What... was I doing? she wonders.
Her thoughts seem to be running away from her as she stands locked in this warmth.
He is so warm... for a vampire.
She closes her eyes.
Did it always feel this nice? she asks herself.
Lost in the reverie of his touch, she doesn't protest.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, however, there is a small voice that is yelling.
She feels her neck exposing itself to the cool night air, the smell of pine fills her nostrils as she breathes deep.
Wolfgang lowers his face to her skin.
Saint Germain's voice comes loud, penetrating the still darkness.
"You picked the wrong time to get in my way, old man." he snarls.
At the same time, black and blood red streams surround Wolfgang as if being ripped directly from his flesh.
Wolfgang drops to his knees in pain. An ungodly shriek erupts from his body, the echo bouncing off the large evergreens that surround them.
He clutches his head, the pain driving him into the same rage that was seen by Saint Germain only a day ago.
"Unfortunately, you have left me with no choice."
"O-okay."
Aylin and Noah follow Luka into the apartment.
"This one's alive," he says, "but barely."
"Check that one," he says.
She reaches her hand out to the man gently, taking small steps forward.
Aylin leaps back involuntarily as he lurches forward.
"Karina's niece... what the hell are you doing here?!" he growls.
"We have come to take you to safety." he says. He raises his hand to Zaiden as if offering friendship to a feral animal.
"We have Karina under our care as well," he continues, "I am sure she is eager to see you."
He almost doubles over in his rage.
Luka has Max draped over his shoulder.
He looks at Noah.
"We've gotta get moving--now."
"Please, Zaiden," Aylin begs, "I'm sure once Karina sees you she'll be so happy you're alive."
Noah nods.
"I agree. She was clearly concerned for your safety when she found out you'd been held here against your will. She is a pivotal part of our mission to rescue you."
Zaiden falls silent as he considers Noah's words.
He finally relinquishes.
"Alright, fine." he says, "I'll go with you."
Wolfgang's downfall seems imminent as Saint Germain relentlessly drains him of his life-force.
He is starting to tire.
...He should be dead by now, he says to himself. A sense of foreboding dread penetrates his heart.
There is a sudden shift in the energy being transferred between Wolfgang and himself.
The howling and screaming that was so deafening not two seconds ago stops, morphing into something completely different and unexpected.
The laughter isn't coming from the boy's mouth.
It is in the very air.
He feels fire in his veins as he struggles to get up, but it is useless.
Against this foe, he is powerless.
It holds her in its arms, blood and death swirling around them.
They are greeted by darkness.
Luka looks through the glass into the foyer.
"Looks like nobody's home."
"Saint Germain should have returned by now, surely."
"Do you think... something happened to them?" Aylin asks, but nobody answers.
The probability for error grows greater with each passing minute.
Luka tries calling Saint Germain, but there is no answer.
"Saint Germain, you're--"
He is filthy with dirt and blood.
"Master..."
Noah starts to approach him.
He does not stand, instead he remains kneeling before them, his head bowed in penitence.
"He has taken her."
Aylin's arms remain outstretched in terror, the reality of the situation quickly driving itself into her heart.
"I humbly ask your forgiveness," he continues, his voice withered with sorrow, "I could not stop Wolfgang, nor keep him from stealing away with Miss Moreno. He has a power that is more mighty than I ever would have anticipated. Not in a century could I have bested him alone--"
He knocks him to the floor, placing his foot upon his chest.
"You think an apology is gonna save anybody now?!" he roars, "Who do you think you are, letting Karina sacrifice herself like this!"
Zaiden continues lashing out at Saint Germain. The pale man lays on the floor looking at the battered man above him, feeling the weight of his body pushing into his own.
The rage coming from Zaiden is equal to the guilt he feels. He welcomes the punishment.
She crumbles as if she has no strength in her at all.
"Aylin!" Noah reaches both hands out to keep her upright.
It's clear the young man's tirade is disturbing the girl.
He sighs.
"You saved Max, and for that I'm grateful," he says, "but if you think that makes up for using Karina as bait, you're dead wrong."
Only she could possibly make him feel at peace in the midst of so much woe.
He places his hands gently on her shoulders, bringing her back from whatever horror she is facing alone.
"No... no!" she cries, seeing something Noah cannot.
Her pulse is running fast under her skin.
"Aylin..." he whispers.
This feeling he longed for so strongly since the first time it happened, but never thought would bear such sorrow--he wanted to keep it forever, to one day transform it into something bright and joyous for her instead.
He hears her small voice murmuring to him.
"You were right, Noah... we never should have done this."
She cries and he holds her.
He will hold her forever if he can.
Luka takes a drag on his cigarette.
They sit in the garden, watching the sunrise slowly kill the darkness around them.
He rubs a spot between his eyes.
"Whoever turned him must have been a strong motherfucker." he mutters.
He replays the feeling of being helpless at the hands of a seemingly weak-willed vampire over and over in his mind. He recalls the sensation of being overcome by a force more powerful than his own, and his body being torn asunder.
Luka glances at him.
"What, Saint--you know who turned him?"
Continue to Part 16...
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