“Am I supposed to know what that is?”
“We have been a sect of the Australian government for as long as there has been a government. Though according to all records, we don’t exist. Something I’m sure you can relate to. We monitor and control paranormal activity. My department is solely responsible for Sydney. Which is why I’m here. Our intelligence suggests that you are the ruler appointed over Sydney, is that correct?”
“That is still to be determined.”
“Ah, yes. I assume you’re referring to the, um…” Gavin clicked his fingers when brute number one presented him with an A4 piece of paper, which he glanced at as he sat on the couch opposite Dante. “Messengers of Osiris?”
“Yes…” said Dante softy. How the hell did he know? But Gavin appeared to know exactly what Dante was thinking.
“We have vast resources and brutal tactics when we want information, Dante. Oh, may I call you that?” Gavin didn’t wait for confirmation as he skimmed the bullet points. “Now these Messengers would’ve contacted you less than a year ago, it seems…yes…after the previous king was murdered. By you, nonetheless. And you have been the overseer for the city ever since.” Gavin placed the paper down beside him and crossed his legs. “I have a proposal for you, Dante. Sovereign is willing to endorse you as king, and for that, we want you to work with us.”
“Work with you? To do what?”
“To take back the city from your kind and all the things like you.”
“Oh really?”
“Do you realise how many unexplained or paranormal events have been occurring in the last two years as compared to fifty years ago? Missing persons have gone up. Werewolves invading the city. A narcotic infects Sydney to the point it becomes an epidemic. The Sydney Airport incident where three people were killed and dozens injured. And only a few days ago a serial killer managed to have all his victims rise again and engage in a blood feud, seconds away from breaking into a hospital. A black cloud still hovers over us. Our experts tell me it is expanding at an increasing rate. That brings me to my next point. There is something else coming.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let me ask this. What do you remember of the explosion which destroyed the vampire mansion?”
“I would imagine anything I know you would’ve had checked already. What is your point?”
“We have access to many sources, Mr Delavega. One of them includes mystics. Many years ago, we, through them, became aware of an ancient legend; a prophecy if you will. That thought lost will return. A great power will awaken in the flames. They will be, in equal parts, cherished and hunted. Darkness surrounds them, yet will not wield them. The sky will weep and turn into an enemy of man. The dead will rise and stalk the living. The power of a god is sought by many, but meant for only one. Now, this is as vague as all prophecies are, but I think you and I can both agree the explosion proceeded a horrific run of murders and the black sky we still have over us. Nothing is certain, but it has been more or less agreed upon that this was the fire mentioned.”
“Perhaps. But even if I did believe in prophecies, I don’t know what this has to do with me?”
“The power of a god, Mr Delavega. That wasn’t me exaggerating. Those were the exact words used. The prophecy cannot be accurately dated. It is hundreds of thousands of years old. When gods would’ve actually walked around, according to things like Greek mythology. An actual person.”
“You think God is walking around Sydney?”
“Not God, Mr Delavega, a god. And not only do I think he is walking around, I believe I know who he is. What do you know of Lee Nightingale?”
Dante resisted the urge to laugh. “You think he’s a god?”
“Why do you mock the idea so quickly?”
Dante had to pause before replying “He’s a fuckwit”. He really didn’t know what Gavin or Sovereign truly knew. He didn’t know how accurate this prophecy was, but he did know who it referred to. And he needed to keep Sovereign away from Alex, regardless if she truly was the being talked about. “Well…he is the strongest vampire I have seen, being so young anyway.”
“Indeed. And when did he appear?”
“He was released from the mansion dungeons after the fire. He broke free.”
“And as yet, he hasn’t been put back. He roams free, still, after several attempts to apprehend him, correct?”
“By all means, if your intent is to kill him, I won’t stand in your way.”
“My orders are rather vague when it comes to Mr Nightingale. He is a subject of great fascination among my superiors. While he would be a fantastic case study, there is some feeling that he poses too great a threat. If he is the being the prophecy speaks of, it would be more prudent to put him down. Should that be the case, can I count on your cooperation?”
“Let me put it this way. If you said to me you could piss him away, I’d gladly hold your dick for you.”
“Very good. I see no reason why you and Sovereign cannot work together. Find him, and you will be officially endorsed as king.”
“Only the Messengers endorse kings.”
“Ah yes, the Messengers of Osiris. An ancient, hidden society of the oldest vampires known. They have mystical abilities and dictate monarch appointments via parchment delivered by carrier pigeon…” Dante caught the
