to be one of their informants and tell them of this blood feast that was planned at my abandoned home. Ravenclaw knew that the Knights could not resist and would be there to attack us.” Storm sobbed as she went on, “He…he knew they would come; he counted on it. He said that it was the beginning of retribution for all the centuries that the Knights had hunted our kind.”
“How did he know who they were and how to call them?” Chloe was almost too afraid to ask, but had to know.
“Ravenclaw mentioned something about a book with the names of our enemies,” Storm answered Chloe.
“How did he get the book?” Chloe demanded.
“I..I don’t know,” Storm answered back.
“Dear God,” Chloe lamented.
Andrew opened the front door and walked into the foyer. He set his briefcase down and took off his overcoat. He put is coat away in the hall closet and closed the door. Andrew grabbed his briefcase and headed towards the kitchen. When he walked past the family room, Andrew saw Chloe and Storm in the middle of a conversation. He decided to join them. When Chloe saw her dad, she jumped up and walked over to him.
“How could you?” Chloe started punching her dad. Andrew dropped the briefcase and grabbed her by the arms.
“How could I what?” Andrew was confused.
“You gave him the book,” Chloe broke free of her dad’s grasp, turned and sat down. Andrew immediately followed her and sat down. He glanced from Storm to his daughter. They each had an accusing expression on their faces.
“What are you talking about?” Andrew demanded. “The Knights of VanHelsing book,” Chloe shouted loudly. “You promised to turn it over make sure justice was done. Not any more killings!”
“I never gave any one the book,” Andrew said in his defense.
“Tell him Storm.” Chloe looked to her for help. “Tell him what you told me.”
“What are you talking about?” Andrew was even more confused.
“Mister Ravenclaw was the one who told us he got the names of the Knights from a book,” Storm recounted for Andrew. She was trembling, “He told us he was going to kill every one of them.”
Andrew took off quickly and ran upstairs to the library. He kicked open the door and rushed over to the shelf on the left side of the window. The book that Andrew had hoped was there was now gone! Andrew felt sick and dropped to his knees. Someone in the house took the book.
Andrew rose and headed for the room Nick and Kara had used. He didn’t bother to knock and just burst in. Nick was taking a nap on the bed. Andrew’s sudden intrusion startled him. Nick bolted straight up and let loose a tirade of profanities.
“Where’s Kara?” Andrew was angry.
“She had to go back to Chicago for a few days, why?” Nick explained. “Why?”
“The book is missing,” Andrew bellowed.
“You think Kara took it?” Nick scoffed. “No way would she do that.”
“Last night three Knights of VanHelsing were killed right here in Bayport,” Andrew sat on the bed, defeated. He looked at Nick and continued, “It was a trap that they walked right into, not suspecting a thing. Storm said that Vlad Ravenclaw had gotten their real names from the book I recovered from Gothica castle.”
“Holy Sh-” Nick whistled. He was defensive again, “No way that Kara took the book and give it to the creepy vampire guy. She would not do it.” Nick felt sick now. He was suddenly unsettled and looked at Andrew, “She did take the book. F-.”
“We need to get that book back,” Andrew stood.
“How?” Nick asked.
“Dad!” they heard Chloe shout from the bottom of the stairs. “Come quick!”
Andrew and Nick both went down stairs. They went to the family room, but Chloe and Storm were not there. “In the kitchen,” Chloe shouted. Nick and Andrew went to the kitchen. Chloe had the television on. She and Storm were watching the local morning news program. The news anchor came on after a commercial and announced a breaking new’s story. She shared that in Bayport County, there had been suscpicious killings last evening. She added that the authorities were baffled and had no leads as to who was responsible for the slayings. Chloe and the others turned their attention from the screen and looked at Andrew. He just stared at the television with a blank expression on his face. He did not move or say a word.
“Dad?” Chloe asked softly.
Andrew turned and walked out of the kitchen. His lust for revenge and justice had gone terribly wrong. Andrew walked down the hallway. He so desperately wanted to put an end to the Knights of VanHelsing, that the Higgins family deaths took second place. Andrew ascended the stairs and went to his room. He was beaten.
The church was filled with mourners. There were civilians dressed in traditional black attire and law enforcement personnel in their dress uniforms. In front of the chapel was Talia’s flag draped casket. There was a photo of Talia in her Sheriffs uniform, on top of her casket. Father Michael stood somberly at the pulpit and looked out across the vastness of tearful faces. The sun was shining brightly through the narrow stained glass windows and cast its light and warmth for all. But it brilliance and pleasurable warmth paled in comparison to the tearful and somber remorse of those in the church.
Peter and Lisa sat next to Chloe. She had on a simple black dress. Peter nervously played with his tie and played with buttons of his black suit. Next to Chloe were Roxanne and Nick. Each was dressed in solemn black attire. The one who should have been there with them, Andrew, was missing. As far as the others knew, he was still locked away brooding in his room.
As the Father Michael spoke, Peter could hear weeping from behind, which in turn caused him to wipe the tears from his own eyes. Lisa was resting her head on Peter’s shoulder holding a handkerchief in one hand while holding his with the other. Roxanne was just sitting there quietly, staring at the casket. Nick sat there as if staring off into space. He was still in shock over Kara’s apparent betrayal. It really pissed him off that all this time she had been able to fool them all; him especially.
With all eyes now focused on the Father Michael, Andrew slipped quietly through the doors and sat down in the back. He easily slipped into the back pew. He wore a white rose on his suit of black. Andrew smiled briefly at the woman seated next to him.
Once Father Michael was finished, he asked if anyone wanted to say something about Talia. Andrew watched and waited to see if any one was going to step forward. He waited for several minutes. When no one came forward, Andrew decided to go.
Andrew got up and walked to the front of the church. When he got to the front, Chloe and the others were shocked to see him. Andrew took his place at the pulpit. He was about to speak, when Andrew caught a glimpse of Vlad Ravenclaw slip in and take a seat in the back where he had just been. Andrew drew a deep breath.
“When Sheriff Delsmann, Talia, and I first met it was not the most pleasant meeting I’ve ever had,” Andrew paused as a wave of respectful laughter spread across the sea of mourners. Andrew continued, “She actually despised me and was determined to put me in jail for interfering with the Higgins investigation.” Andrew paused to gather his thoughts. He looked at his daughter. Like the others, Chloe waited for his next word. Andrew went on, “But over time we had become friends and there was a mutual respect for each other.” Andrew stopped again, this time he looked at the photo of Talia. He remembered her that night at the hotel in Berlin. She was so thrilled to wear the evening dress. He also remembered their kiss. Andrew touched his lips. Talia absolutely hated him when they first met. But all changed when he saved her that night at JFK Prep. He also remembered Talia had saved his life that night at the park. Andrew sniffed back his tears and went on, “Talia gave her life for me. When she lay dying in my arms, Talia asked if I knew what true love was.” Andrew paused. Everyone waited with anticipation for the answer. Andrew did not disappoint them, “I said no and she told me that true love was ‘sacrifice’”.
Andrew left the pulpit and walked over to Talia’s casket. He gently caressed the cold metal with his hand. Talia had willingly sacrificed her life for his. Andrew broke down. Chloe and Peter rushed up and helped him to the pew where they were seated.
Father Michael took his place at the pulpit. He gave the blessing. Six deputies rose and took their places beside Talia’s casket. Together they walked her mortal remains towards the side doors of the church and into the waiting horse drawn hearse. Peter, Lisa, Chloe, Nick and Andrew walked out and stood behind the company of
