New
Arrivals
Author-Amanda
Titles
Bad Blood
Part One
by Amanda
Disclaimer: All Sentinel characters and locations belong to Pet Fly Productions. Corineus, Michael and Sagremor are products of my own strange mental machinations. Rated: PG. Horror.
Simon Banks looked up at his detective as Ellison approached. The tall man put his black cap on his head to offset the rain that drizzled around them. The police captain nodded for Ellison to follow him around the house to the back yard. It had been raining for the past four days and there was so indication it was going to stop soon. It made for a miserable day and a difficult job when a body was discovered in the mud of a family’s backyard.
“It’s another one, Jim. The owners of the house say they don’t know the victim. The teenage son found the body in the backyard an hour ago. The medic says this one seems to have a kidney missing, too. Where’s Sandburg?”
“Left him in the car. There’s no need for him to see this type of thing if it’s anything like the last one. What does the yard back on to?” Ellison skirted around the tent covering the body and its attendants and looked over the back fence. A small laneway ran along the back of the house and its neighbours on either side. He could just make out faint impressions in the softened ground. Footprints of at least one man. Footprints that the incessant rain was eradicating as he watched. He could only presume the footprints had something to do with the body being found where it lay.
“I doubt he dragged himself here. He was probably dumped over the fence,” Simon said hunching further into his coat against the cold. “Wanna take a look and see if you can pick anything up?”
Ellison nodded and bent over to enter the small tent. Two men were kneeling next to the dead man and glanced at him as he joined them.
“Anything?”
The attending doctor shook his head. “Nothing. No ID. We’ll have to check his prints and, failing that, his dental. We did, however, find this.” The doctor turned the dead face to the side and presented the exposed neck to the detective.
One small puncture wound over the carotid. The earlier body had been found to have a similar mark but it was so abused that the puncture had almost been missed.
“Needle mark?” Ellison questioned.
“Possibly. Not sure just now. He’s lost a lot of blood but not on this site. He was probably killed somewhere else and dumped here afterwards.”
The body of the previous week had been found on the other side of town. Maybe something in this killing would link it to the other. The only obvious thing Ellison could see was that both had been young men. The previous body had been dressed in an expensive suit. This one dressed dissimilarly in jeans, old jacket and running shoes.
Ellison stood and rejoined his wet captain outside. The rain was getting heavier by the moment and Ellison’s cap was rapidly becoming more sodden. He peered up at the grey sky in reproach. “Need a ride back to the station?”
Simon grimaced. Ellison had remembered his car problems. “Yeah, thanks.”
Blair jolted out of his reverie as he saw his partner and the captain bolting through the rain for the truck. He unlocked the back door for Banks and the tall man jumped in.
“Sorry about your seats, Jim,” Banks apologised as the water ran from his coat.
“That’s OK. Can’t be helped.”
“How was it, Jim?” Blair ventured once they had both settled in.
“Not too messy this time. Didn’t mean to pull rank on you earlier, Buddy, but I thought he might look like the one from last week.”
Blair didn’t question any further just at that moment. He recalled Jim’s description of the body found under similar circumstances the week before. The man’s throat had been torn out and some organs missing. But the lack of blood in the immediate area lent to the conclusion that the man had been murdered elsewhere and then dumped.
“I didn’t want to say anything out there but we’ve ID’d last weeks body,” Simon said leaning forward conspiratorially, “British Intelligence.”
Ellison’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was. The man’s CO is waiting for us at the station. Come to collect the body. I don’t think we’ll be giving it up too soon, though.”
“Who?”
“A man called Corineus.”
Blair chuckled, “Corineus? Must be a pretty big guy.”
Ellison frowned at him, pulling out into the traffic. “Say what?”
Blair smiled. “Never mind. It’s just a very old name.”
**********
A pretty big guy ended up being spot on. Corineus stood at least 6 foot 4 inches tall. He would have been in the range of forty years old. His hair, however, was shoulder length and blonde. Under the grey suit he also sported a very fit body and seemed well muscled, this being most evident in his strong hands and powerful neck. For a large man he moved with surprising ease as he stood to greet them upon entering Banks’ office.
Blair observed with interest the sizing up Jim and Corineus gave each other before the Englishman smiled and offered his hand. The posturing wasn’t lost on Simon either. He shook his head and ignored Blair’s blatant grin at him. If these two men wanted to dance around each other, he could frankly do without it.
“Pleased to meet you, I’m Captain Simon Banks. This is Detective Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg. You must be Colonel....Captain....?” Banks felt a slight annoyance at the fact that nobody had managed to discover the man’s rank for him.
“No titles. Just Corineus. My...department...doesn’t use them.” The voice had a deep, liquid quality.
Jim blinked. Obviously his department didn’t have hair length regulations either.
“I’d like to see my man, if possible,” Corineus said softly.
“Of course.” Simon steered Corineus into his office. “I have the file in here, you can ID him from the photo. The body’s still in the morgue at Cascade General if the photo doesn’t help.”
Blair and Jim followed them. Simon indicated a chair to the big man and handed him the file. Corineus took a breath and opened it. They were treated to a very stoic reaction. A muscle twitch in the jaw, that reminded Blair and Simon of Jim, was all they got.
Simon handed him a plastic bag. “This was all he had on him.”
Corineus opened it, spilling the amulet and chain into his hand. Blair’s eyes lit on it for the first time. The amulet was a strange isosceles triangle with a cross through it. He watched as Corineus fondled the charm, running his thumb over its surface. A look of sadness fleeted across the older man’s face and then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the expression was gone. Blair recognised the design the man held.
“A ceriden!”
All three men looked at him. He gulped. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out the way he had.
“You know this?” Corineus asked, somewhat perplexed.
“Ummm, yeah. A very old magic ward, old Britain if memory serves.” Blair turned his cool gaze on the tall man. His memory rarely failed him and he could tell that Corineus was uncomfortable at his recognition of the symbol.
“Your memory serves you well. How much more do you know, my little scholar?”
Jim bristled slightly. He had the impression the man was ridiculing his partner. But the look on Corineus’ face relayed he was quite serious. Blair chose to ignore the man’s words, he’d been called far worse. He also had the feeling that Corineus wasn’t intending to insult.
“Are you a detective?” the other asked.
Blair smiled nervously. At least he wouldn’t get any hair jokes from this man. “Uh, no. I’m an observer actually.”
“Pray tell, what are you observing?”
“I’m an anthropologist. I’m studying police culture....” Blair trailed off. He had the sudden, horrible feeling that this man didn’t believe a word of it and saw straight through the lie.
“My original question still stands. What else do you know?”
Blair frowned. “Oh! The ceriden! A ward against evil. I also know your name. A very old name. Does your family still own Cornwall?” Blair smiled at him trying to break the tension.
Corineus didn’t return it. “No, unfortunately.”
Blair’s smile froze. Not quite the answer he was expecting. Simon covered the young man’s discomfort by clearing his throat to gain the Englishman’s attention.
“Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Corineus fixed him with a smile of his own. “Love to.”
**********
Two hours later Simon, Jim and Blair sat in El Toro’s Spanish Restaurant awaiting the arrival of their guest. Jim had made it clear he didn’t want to be there. Corineus’ attitude toward Blair annoyed him but Simon stressed it would be good for relations and would brook no argument from the other. Blair had taken the short time at home readying for the night by brushing up on his British mythology via his books and the internet. While they waited for Corineus he explained to the two men that the ceriden was an ancient warding talisman against evil and witchcraft. His digging had brought up the matter of it being used against vampires but he didn’t drop that one on them. He didn’t want the ridicule that would surely follow. But, he himself, had thought it pertinent due to the identical marks on each body’s neck. Blair also knew that voicing that fact wouldn’t win him any friends.
“Gentlemen,” came a deep voice behind them.
Jim swivelled his head around sharply. He hadn’t heard the man coming. Corineus ignored the empty chair beside Simon and squeezed himself into the booth beside Blair, causing the younger man to sidle along to allow him some room. Simon had the feeling that the tall man took pleasure in Jim’s dislike of him. Corineus graced them all with a smile, his deep voice flowing over them all like honey.
“Sorry I’m a bit late. Had some business to attend to.”
“No apology necessary,” Simon said handing him a menu.
The meal was pleasant and polite. They seemed to touch on every topic except the corpus delicti which had brought them together. Corineus didn’t seem to be baiting Blair and Jim settled back to observe the man. He tuned his hearing in and caught the man’s heartbeat. He frowned. It was very slow and barely there. Blair’s, on the other hand, was fast. Too fast. He was getting into the conversation in a big way and Jim brought his attention back to what was being said.
“You’ve been there? Really?” Blair asked.
“Really.” The man seemed pleased at the other’s enthusiasm. “Get there if you can.”
“Where?” Jim interjected. He’d missed the start of the conversation and wanted to catch up.
“The catacombs under Rome, man! I didn’t get that far.”
Corineus laughed and slapped Blair on the back. “You’d love it. The government have finally limited visitors to so many per month. The artefacts were being damaged. The bones are better protected now. As they should be...” he trailed off.
Jim hadn’t failed to notice that the big man had settled his arm across Blair’s shoulders. Conversely, his partner had failed to notice it. Blair was happily tipsy on what wine he had imbibed so far. Simon watched them curiously. Blair was an outgoing, friendly character at the best of times but he was rarely so relaxed in the company of a man he hardly knew. Kindred spirits? Hardly, Simon thought. The only similarity was the long hair. Other than that, Corineus and Blair were poles apart. The tall man proved to be quite an authority on ancient Europe, particularly Britain.
Blair could hardly contain his excitement at having found another authority on ancient cultures. The nagging feeling that battered against the back of his mind was pushed further down as the night progressed. His initial impression that the man was somehow dangerous was filed away with what he considered his other misreadings of people. “This is great! You been everywhere! I’d love to pick your brains about the Celts, if you have time?”
“Certainly. I have studied them myself.”
Blair bounced up and down in his chair with enthusiasm. Jim smiled inwardly, he always knew the young man was a cheap drunk.
“I think it’s time I took you home, Chief.”
Blair chuckled again. “Good idea. Want a coffee at our place?” He looked pointedly at Corineus, the man having taken on a nice hazy look about the edges.
Corineus looked at Jim’s stony expression. “Uh, I don’t think that’s what he....”
“Ah, come on.” Blair stood and shrugged his coat on.
Jim managed a smile. It was only 9pm. He raised his eyebrows at Simon.
“Sure, Jim. Love to.”
Bill paid, they followed the laughing anthropologist out of the restaurant to their cars.
**********
Blair started the fire. The loft was unpleasantly cold and if he wanted to get any sleep tonight he’d have to warm the place up a bit. Jim and Simon prepared the cups for coffee. None of them noticed the interest with which Corineus watched Blair. The young man intrigued him. In possession of so much knowledge and so young. Blair disappeared into his room and reappeared a few minutes later in warmer, more comfortable clothing. He sat on the lounge next to Corineus and curled his legs under himself, shivering.
“Bloody cold in here, sometimes.”
“Don’t come to England, then. You’ll hate it,” Corineus returned sagely.
“I was there in summer. It was kinda nice, unseasonably warm that year. Man, I loved it! The history of the place was incredible. Our white history isn’t long enough to be that interesting. Our native history is fascinating, though.”
Jim and Simon joined them, each handing them a cup. Blair took his gratefully, warming his hands around it. Corineus was smiling enigmatically at Blair’s zest. The young man certainly had fire.
“Corineus. We have to talk shop,” Simon announced.
The man turned to him, serious. “Of course.”
“What was your man doing here?”
“Edwards was after a man we only know by his alias. Sagremor.”
“You’re kidding,” Blair interrupted.
“Yes, Blair. He’s a student of British history. That much we know of him.”
Jim waved him down, sure he was about to miss something important. “Sagremor meaning....”
“Sagremor was a knight of the round table,” Blair answered him.
“As in Arthur.”
“As in Arthur,” Corineus finished, “he’s a cunning little bastard. Ruthless as they come. An assassin. A good one. Edwards was part of a two man team. Bedwyr hasn’t reported in yet.”
Jim heard an indrawn breath from Blair and glanced at his roommate. The young man was watching Corineus silently, his eyes having narrowed to slits. Jim didn’t want to draw attention by asking him what his problem was.
Simon glanced at Jim. “Er, we found another body today. How does this Sagremor kill?”
“Anyway he can,” Corineus said.
“I think what Simon means, is does he have a preferred method.” Jim set his cup on the coffee table.
“He rarely uses guns. Most times he’ll cut their throats. This other body. Was it a man in his twenties?”
“Yes. No ID, we’re running his prints,” Simon had an uneasy feeling this body was Corineus’ man.
“Did you find a ceriden?”
“No, not this time. Why would he carry one?”
Corineus’ face was grim. “We all do. It’s a little superstition we all started years ago.”
“Were these your two best men?” Simon pressed.
“They were my only two men. We were a pretty elite mob.” Corineus stood. “I must go, gentlemen. I’m very tired and I have a lot to do before morning. I’ll meet you at the station, Captain?”
Simon also stood. “Yes, first thing. I hope this one isn’t your second man.”
“So do I. Goodnight, Detective Ellison.”
Jim walked him to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, too. If this is your Sagremor we’d better move quickly on this.”
Corineus nodded silently in agreement. “It will have to be the afternoon, I’m afraid.” He looked over to Blair still curled on the lounge watching all of it worriedly. “Goodnight, little scholar.”
“Goodnight, Corineus.”
Jim closed the door and rounded on Blair. “What?” He hadn’t failed to catch Blair’s growing uneasiness and uncharacteristic silence towards the end.
Blair looked at Simon. “He’s a great guy, hell I would have loved to have had him as a professor, but....” he shifted uncomfortably, “he’s a little strange.”
“A little?” Simon rolled his eyes.
“Strange, in that his name, the name of his man Bedwyr, let alone Sagremor....they’re all from a time long dead. Those names aren’t in common use anymore. They’re ancient.”
“Probably not their real names. We’ve come across that before.”
“In British Intelligence? If that’s the case, you can start calling me Sir Perceval,” Blair grumbled. This case was getting stranger by the moment.
Simon laughed, he had to get home. “G’night, you two.”
**********
4pm Cascade PD
Corineus sat alone in Simon’s office. His mind wandered to the body he just saw. It wasn’t his man which meant Michael was still out there. The hunt continued. Sagremor would never see his home shores again. Michael was his best. Edwards had erred. But then he was only human. He had known how dangerous Sagremor was. His complacency had cost him his very short life. Corineus had arranged to have him interred here on American shores. He had no family to mourn him, no need to take him back. He would have to talk with Michael, and soon. Corineus looked up as Ellison entered his Captain’s office.
“Afternoon, Detective. I suppose you’ve heard.”
“If he wasn’t your man then who was he?” Ellison turned a cool gaze on the other man.
“Oh, definitely a victim of Sagremor.” Corineus wasn’t fazed one iota by Ellison’s looming presence.
“All his blood had been drained. Obviously off site and then dumped there.”
Corineus looked him squarely in the eye. “Probably.”
Lying, Ellison thought. The man’s heartbeat, slow as it was, had skipped slightly. He heard it quicken again and saw the man looking past him. Blair’s presence made itself known.
“Good afternoon, Corineus,” came Blair’s quiet voice, “I’m...ah...sorry if I was a bit out of it last night.”
Corineus waved it off. “That’s OK, Scholar, we’re all allowed to indulge now and then.”
Scholar, Blair thought, I like that better than Hairboy. Simon was close on his heels and dropped into his chair. Blair took the one near Corineus. Jim remained standing.
“Corineus,” Simon addressed him, “we expect your cooperation with bringing this Sagremor in. I realise he was your business back home but he’s on our soil now and I think if we can all work together we can bring it to a fast conclusion.”
“No problem with me, Captain. Will I be working with the detective here?”
“Yes and, at times, Sandburg.”
Corineus didn’t look pleased. “He’s an observer, isn’t he? Why is he involved?”
“Sandburg and I are partners,” Jim cut in. He was growing tired of having to justify Sandburg’s presence on cases.
“Excuse me, I do know a little of police procedure here. He’s a civilian....” Corineus continued.
Blair shifted uncomfortably. Any disagreement could see Simon agreeing and grounding him. Maybe this Corineus wasn’t as nice as he had thought.
“Why do you object to his involvement?” Simon couldn’t see where this unexpected objection was coming from.
“It’s too dangerous. There’s something you should know about Sagremor. He is....deluded. He kills the way he does for a reason. He practices the vampiric arts.”
Simon didn’t move. Practiced what? He locked his eyes on the Englishman in disbelief. Jim, likewise, didn’t know what to say.
Blair snapped to attention. “Ceriden. Wards against witchcraft and obviously vampires. Corineus, if he is as deluded as you say, why do you and your men carry such wards?”
The steely gaze lit upon him. “Better safe than sorry, Scholar. I don’t want you involved for the simple reason of the body found in the Patterson’s backyard.” At the confused looks of the others he sighed and continued, “Young man, in his twenties. A favourite of Sagremor’s. They’re all the same.” He looked at Blair for emphasis. “He’d love to get his hands on you.”
Blair clenched his hands in suppressed rage. Corineus looked to Jim and Simon. “I urge you to leave him out of this. He’s nothing but alluring to someone like our quarry.”
Blair stood and made to leave the room. He was furious at the argument given by Corineus and was embarrassed that the others were there to hear it.
“Blair,” Corineus softly called, “I have lost three men to this maniac before. It was then we noticed his preferred victims. All three of my dead men were in their twenties. None of the older ones were ever touched. He prefers blondes but loves long haired boys.”
Blair tried hard to contain his anger. “Christ! I’m not a boy!”
“My three men were trained in close quarters combat. One was even at the seventh Dan level. They didn’t stand a chance....I’m sorry, I don’t mean to demean you in any way. I know you’re not a boy.”
“Is that why you have long hair? To call him to you?”
Corineus was stunned into silence. He had the feeling his mouth was open and shut it.
“I checked, you know,” Blair pressed, “the hunters always try to appeal to the vampire. Are you calling him to you?”
“Blair,” Corineus laughed quickly and looked at the other two men, “There’s no such things as vampires.”
The condescension in his voice wasn’t missed by Blair. He chose to ignore it, he needed answers from this one. He had a feeling the obvious toleration was a shield against any more questions hitting the mark. “Your man, what’s his name?”
“I’d prefer not to....”
“It’s Michael, isn’t it?”
Corineus blanched. “How did you.....?”
“Michael of Ceriden. The maker of warding talismans such as the ceriden. Michael Bedwyr, is he as fast with a sword as his namesake? If you don’t believe in such things as Sagremor purports to be then why do you carry such instruments against evil and even name your men after such historical figures?”
Corineus remained silent. Jim and Simon didn’t scoff at Blair’s questions. They had watched with interest as their young friend had backed this powerful man into a figurative corner. They were prepared to wait for the Intelligence man’s answer as they were just as interested in how he would reply to Blair’s questioning. Corineus rolled his eyes and glared at his adversary. Blair didn’t flinch, he stared back just as menacingly. Corineus liked the pluck this young man exuded.
“Scholar. I could have used you back home. You are very much like Michael. You know more than you need to, though. I must find Michael. When I have him I’ll meet you back at your home. Give me an hour. We’ll talk more then.”
Standing he brushed past Blair, pausing. He looked down at the shorter man. “I’ve changed my mind. I want you in on this. You’ll be of more use to me than your colleagues. You have knowledge and that can prove to be Sagremor’s undoing.”
Simon shook his head. Sagremor’s undoing. Why did he feel he was in the middle of a bad movie script? Corineus left, a final smile at Blair as he departed. The room felt decidedly warmer with his withdrawal.
“Simon, do you have any idea what just happened?” Jim asked, rubbing his temple. He had a headache forming and knew it was only going to become worse.
“Not a clue, Jim.”
“Well, I do,” Blair announced, “and we’re up to our waists in it. I wonder where I can buy myself a ceriden.”
**********
Neither man could coax an explanation out of Blair on the way to the loft. Late afternoon traffic wasn’t doing anything for anyone’s tempers and eventually they all settled in silence. The young man wasn’t prepared to offer up his reasons for challenging Corineus like he did. Parking outside their building, Jim locked the truck but paused before approaching his front door. He stopped Simon with a hand on his chest.
“He’s up there, already.” He entered his building at a run. Opening the loft door they found Corineus sitting on the lounge.
“I hope you don’t mind, I let myself in.” The man’s demeanour was one of self satisfaction. He gave off an air of confidence that made Blair uneasy. He was content to stay behind Simon as they closed the door behind them.
Jim checked his door lock. No damage. He threw his keys into the basket and stalked over to the Intelligence man, intending to lift him to his feet. His hands grasped the lapels of his suit but, try as Jim did, he couldn’t budge the man. Jolted by the unnaturalness of not moving the man even in the slightest he stepped back in shock. Simon pointed Jim’s attention to the balcony doors.
A young man stood there. Shoulder length blonde hair swept his shoulders. He was dressed in black jeans, white t-shirt and black leather jacket. He smiled engagingly and crossed the living room to them. The man could only have been described as striking. His face was fine featured. The three men tried to cover the shock they felt at his beauty. While not attracted they certainly noticed the grace in his movements. The man moved like a sleek, black cat.
“I must apologise for my friend. He doesn’t hold privacy in high regard.” The young man had a slight Irish accent and his eyes had lit upon Blair behind the tall, black man’s back.
Blair still hadn’t come out from behind his police captain. The whole situation gave him the willies and he couldn’t understand why. The young, blonde man hadn’t taken his eyes off him and Blair moved further out of his sight behind Simon. With Corineus, Blair only felt safety, but with this younger man he felt, unaccountably, in danger.
Jim stepped around them, keeping both in view. His hand went behind his back to rest ready on his concealed gun. Simon saw this and held a calming arm out. He could feel the tension crackling in the air. “Jim! This breach of protocol isn’t worth violence....”
“Blair, get over here now!” Blair skirted out from behind Simon to behind his Sentinel. Jim’s ire rose even more at the infuriating smiles with which both men graced him. “What the fuck are you?” he growled.
Corineus waved his hands over himself. “What you see. Someone on the same side you are.”
“Not who! What!”
Michael took a step closer, trying to placate the irate man. “Please, we mean no harm. All we want is Sagremor. Same as you.”
Jim raised a hand in warning. “Back off!” He steered Blair back towards Simon until he stood between his guide, his Captain and the two men. He glowered at the young man who seemed to hold an unearthly fascination with his young roommate.
“Jim...” Simon paused at the laugh coming from Corineus. He could see nothing funny in this. At this rate someone was bound to get shot.
“Detective. I must warn you,” came Corineus’ low voice, “I have the same protective feelings for my Michael as you do for Blair. Wave that gun at him and I’ll break your arm.”
Blair swallowed and stepped out from behind Jim. He had to defuse the situation now. He quashed his irrational fear and approached the older man on the lounge. “Gentlemen, I think we had all better sit down and have a talk.” Jim made no move. Simon retrieved a dining chair and placed it near the lounge. Blair crossed his feet and sat on the floor. Jim remained standing, extremely pissed off that Blair had left his side. Michael smiled and shrugged, taking a place next to Blair on the floor. In his peripheral vision Blair could see Michael staring at him. Corineus ignored the stubborn Sentinel. He understood the man had a lot to protect. The two of them were very much alike. The five men stared at each other, none forthcoming.
Blair couldn’t stand the silence. “So, Michael, how long have you been a vampire hunter?”
The young stranger beamed at the engaging young anthropologist. “You are nothing, if not straight to the point.” He shook his long hair. “A long, long time.”
“I’m all ears. Believe me, I take nothing at face value.” Blair shook his head. “I’ve seen many strange things in my life.”
“Such a short life.” Michael looked at him in mock sadness.
Jim started. Was that a threat or an observation? Corineus looked up at him.
“Stay calm, Detective. Michael would not harm him. I will explain some things to you. You can choose whether to believe them or not. Makes no difference to me. I have no fear of you repeating any of this to anyone. Your mail would have to be forwarded to the closest asylum if you did impart to anyone what I am about to tell you.”
Jim said nothing. He looked Corineus straight in the eye, neither breaking contact.
“Sagremor’s a real one, isn’t he?” Blair asked quietly. Simon, not comprehending, looked at him.
“Yes, lad. Sagremor is quite real.” Corineus admired the younger one’s insight.
Simon suppressed a laugh. “What? A real what? Vampire?”
“Simon, please,” Blair called to him. He rested his arms over his crossed knees and leaned closer to Michael looking into his green eyes. Young face, very old eyes. “How old are you?”
Michael smiled slightly, looking to Corineus for guidance. Corineus smiled back.
“I’ve....aged well. Older than you, Blair. Actually I’m older than Corineus.”
Jim finally took a seat. His head was fit to burst. Too much stimuli, both physical and mental. Michael’s heartbeat was virtually non existent. Corineus’ slower than was normal. He rubbed his eyes. “You’re telling us....what? That you’re vampires?”
“A modern term for an old condition,” Corineus answered. “We are not quite like the old horror stories.”
“Obviously not,” Blair countered. “You can move about during the day.”
“Yes, that limitation was based on fiction. We have few obstructions. We still have our weaknesses. Sagremor has them too.”
Simon snorted. “I think it’s your mail that’ll need redirecting.”
Corineus graced him with a hard look, “We haven’t time for this. Michael, get me a knife.”
The young man stood and walked to the kitchen. Jim restrained him by the arm. It was like grabbing a stone pillar.
“A demonstration only,” the young man smiled at him. Michael chose a small, sharp vegetable knife and took it back to Corineus. Corineus thanked him and stabbed the knife into his own forearm.
“Holy shit...!” Blair jumped up and ran to him. He pushed the man’s hand away to stem the bleeding. Only, there was no blood. He looked at Corineus. The man offered his arm to the young man. Blair was too fascinated to feel repulsed as he slowly withdrew the knife. The blade was clean.
Blair sat on the floor next to him, suddenly weak in the knees. “My god, you’re telling us the truth.”
Jim walked over to him quickly, grabbed the arm and inspected where the knife went in. The skin was sliced open but as he watched he could see it slowly closing. He then inspected the knife. Corineus retrieved his coffee cup from the table and took another sip.
“I don’t care whether you believe us or not. We are here to do a job and we intend to cancel Sagremor’s number.”
Michael laughed. “I love it when you use modern terminology.” He sobered with his next words, “Our man, Edwards, was not meant to encounter Sagremor. He was to filter information to us. Sagremor must have seen us with him and targeted him.”
Ellison grimaced as Corineus smashed the coffee cup in his hand, the shards of porcelain and remnants of coffee dropping to the floor. The expression on the man’s face was one of sadness and anger. “Edwards was good. He was our back-up. Sagremor will die more slowly for his murder.”
Michael lowered his head. He walked to the balcony and stared through the doors. Opening them he stepped out. Blair followed. He, too, felt uncomfortable in the presence of Corineus’ grief. Michael glanced down at him and smiled, then returned his gaze to the city beyond them.
“How old are you?” Blair ventured, keeping his voice low.
Michael didn’t look at him. “1420.”
Blair looked at him, “As in born?”
“Inducted. I was born in 1400.”
Blair decided to press his luck. “Do you drink blood?”
“Among other things. We eat, as you do. But we also require the richness of blood and....other things.”
The rain had stopped but had left the night with a chill. Blair hugged his arms around himself and shivered but he had the feeling his tremors weren’t only caused by the dropping temperature.
“Other things?”
“Vitamin rich organs.” Michael didn’t miss the young man screwing up his face. “I shock you.”
“I don’t mean to offend. I eat tongue. Livers and such aren’t much different.”
“Aye, but ours are human.” The man smiled congenially at him.
Blair looked up at him. “You’re trying to scare me.” Blair swallowed. “It’s working.”
Michael placed an arm around the young man’s shoulders. “Don’t mind me. The macabre grotesqueness of it all wears off after a while and we become a bit immune to it. I still even manage to disgust myself sometimes.”
Blair had to agree with him. “The missing organs from the two men....”
“He is taking them unnecessarily,” Michael confirmed.
“How old is Corineus?”
“A veritable babe compared to me. He’s from the late 1600’s some time. I’ve forgotten exactly when. He saved my life. I’d been tried as a witch...”
“My god, really?”
“He broke me out of jail the night before my immolation. I rewarded him with immortality. He’s much stronger than me, our offspring usually are. He’s also a bit more vicious than myself. I don’t really care for the killing. He usually kills for me.”
Blair could see Jim watching him worriedly from inside. “Do you have to kill?”
Michael peered down at him again. “Not often, only when we need the organs. That’s only about every few weeks. We mostly take a sip here and there.”
Blair frowned, his eyes couldn’t leave the green gaze that seemed to penetrate straight through his eyes into his mind. He swayed slightly and caught himself against the balcony railing. He shot bolt upright in surprise and stared at Michael.
“See how easy it works. I could have taken a sip from you then. You wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“Michael!”
The young man’s head turned quickly to see Corineus standing at the balcony doors. The older looking man was annoyed. “Not him!”
Michael waved him off. “Merely a demonstration, Corineus. Blair is too curious for his own good.”
Corineus was amazed as he was moved aside brusquely and Jim stalked over to Blair. Seizing his Guide’s arm he dragged him back into the loungeroom. Michael smiled benignly. Corineus returned inside leaving his companion where he stood.
“I’m sorry, he wouldn’t have dared.” He remembered the shove Jim gave him, “You are very strong for a human, Ellison.”
“Either of you touch him again and you’ll feel more than that.”
Michael entered at that point and smiled his seductive smile at Jim, working his wiles on the Sentinel. Blair watched in an almost drunken stupor as the vampire approached them. The blonde’s full lips moved hypnotically. “Believe me, detective, you would enjoy the vampire’s kiss.”
Corineus scowled at his companion’s game. Jim felt Blair’s arm go limp in his grasp as his guide stared at the approaching abomination. Abomination was the only way Jim could describe them. Michael frowned at the very pissed off man glaring at him. The seduction hadn’t worked.
“You are special, indeed, Jim. My hypnotism doesn’t seem to work. In my five hundred some years, you’re the first I’ve ever met that could resist me. Although I challenge you to resist Corineus.”
“Enough, Michael. They are our allies, not our dinner.”
Michael turned on his companion, “I never thought of them as my dinner!” he spat. “Blair was curious, I decided to give him a taste of it. Sagremor uses it, too. The fact that Ellison can resist it is a good thing. Mind you, Sagremor would probably just tear out your throat and not bother with the seduction.”
Simon couldn’t stand it anymore. “I’m going back to the station. I can’t take in much more of this. See you tomorrow, unless I wake up between now and then.”
Jim nodded curtly to his captain. As the door closed behind him Jim glared at Corineus. “That was you, wasn’t it?”
Corineus shrugged. “He was having a hard time dealing with it all. I thought it best that he thought it best to leave.”
Blair stared at Corineus in amazement. “You coerced him into leaving?” He then stared at Jim. “How did you know?”
Jim couldn’t find the words to describe what he had felt. Almost like a palpable ripple in the air between the vampire and his captain. Corineus watched the detective with renewed interest.
“You are an interesting man, Ellison. I suspect you have your secrets just as we have ours. Come, Michael, sit with me. We must learn more about our hosts.” Michael crossed the floor and sat with his companion. He watched the two humans with open cunning. Such a predatory expression didn’t suit the young face.
Blair shifted nervously, “Nothing unusual, really. Jim’s just sensitive to happenings around him. Psychic almost....”
“Crap.” Corineus dismissed the reason, waving his hand in the air, “I have heard tell of Guardians and their carers. Another term is Sentinel.” At Blair’s open mouth he smiled, “I’ve been around the block once or twice, you know. Don’t worry, your secret is as safe with us as ours is with you.”
Michael chuckled. “Around the block, I love that one.”
“Quiet, Michael. To the task at hand.” He waved Jim closer and bade him sit near him. “Promise I won’t bite.”
Michael chuckled again. Blair now took notice of the differences between the two men. Michael had said that his offspring was the stronger. Despite being more than two hundred years younger, Corineus was the one in charge. Michael was only 20 years old when he became what he was but Corineus had reached his forties. Blair resumed his seat on the floor, crosslegged. He tried not to move away as Michael left the lounge and joined him on the floor. Jim watched it all with wariness. Corineus looked at the darkening sky through the balcony doors.
“Our hunting is best done at night. Sagremor is still here.”
“How long have you been tracking him?” Blair shifted away from Michael, who had returned his arm around Blair’s shoulders. Blair glared at him, but the vampire only smiled and didn’t remove it. He knew Michael was having a great time with his discomfiture.
“About fifty years now. He’s been around for longer than that but he only came to our attention in the 1940’s.”
“Aside from what’s obviously happening now, why are you hunting him?”
Michael’s arm dropped from his shoulder. Corineus watched him sadly. The enchanting blonde vampire stood and went back to the balcony doors looking through the glass and out into the night. Corineus slumped further into the cushions around him. He looked incongruous, dressed as he was in shirt and tie.
“Sagremor murdered Michael’s wife. She had only been inducted some five years before but we all had long lives ahead of us. She was killed in France during the war. Sagremor....” he broke off, knowing that Michael’s silence foreshadowed an outburst of temper at any moment. “We’ve been hunting the bastard ever since.”
“What can we do?” Jim asked him.
Michael returned from the window and sat near Blair again. Blair leant into him, butting him softly with his shoulder. Michael smiled, but this time it was weakened.
“We can both trace him, provided we get within a few blocks of him.” Corineus was pleased that Michael had rejoined their conversation, “We should take two cars and drive around. Short of that I can’t think of any other way. Who goes with who?”
“I’ll take Blair!” Michael interjected, smiling he added, “figuratively, of course.”
“I don’t like this splitting up,” Jim growled.
“Whoever finds him first contacts the others.” Corineus reached into his suit jacket and pulled out two ear communicators. He handed one to Michael and placed the other around his own neck and into his ear. “No confrontation until the other arrives. Clear?”
Michael nodded, saluting. “Aaaaaffirmative.”
**********
Corineus and Jim took the truck while Blair and Michael took Michael’s sports car. They drove around for three hours with nothing to show for it. Blair had managed to keep the conversation going hoping the other would indulge his curiosity. Unhealthy curiosity, Michael thought, but he humoured the kid. Michael was drawn to the vitality of the young man. He swore the young man had springs. He couldn’t remember being that naive. He caught himself looking at the other. His curiosity had been aroused, was Blair as innocent as he seemed? He had a knowledge base that rivalled some of the most learned mortals he had ever met.
Hundreds of years spent merely existing. Feeding on others. His kind were the ultimate raptors. With no other purpose than to keep the population down. Well, that had been possible around the time he was made. In modern times car accidents put more of a dent in the population than his kind. His thoughts were interrupted by Blair’s stomach grumbling loudly. The endearing young man had the grace to look embarrassed.
Blair and Michael announced to the other two that they were stopping at an all night cafe for something to eat. Corineus told them they would join them soon.
Blair was starving. “You hungry? I’m starved.”
Michael graced him with another charming smile. “Me, too.”
Blair tried the door. Locked. He looked to the dashboard for the release control. Not finding it he asked Michael, “Door’s locked, man, how do I get outta here?”
No answer forthcoming he looked at the vampire. Vampire. Shit. Locked in a car with a bloody vampire. Michael was still smiling at him from beneath hooded eyelids. Blair forced his gaze away. But it wasn’t with their eyes that they worked their seduction. It was their voice.
“Blair,” the other purred. He watched with amusement as the young man worried at the door again.
“Uhhh, yeah?” Blair’s hand fell slack from the door handle. He felt as he had earlier in the loft: all will drained. His head fell back against the headrest and he gazed at Michael. The voice was wonderfully hypnotic....
“There you go!” Michael announced pushing a button to release the lock.
Blair sat up, forgetting what he was doing. “Oh, thanks, man.” He blinked away his confusion.
Michael walked his friend into the cafe, a conciliatory arm about the smaller shoulders. It was so easy sometimes. But he did intend to taste this interesting young man eventually.
**********