“I offered my sword and my life to protect them both, Sebastian.” He knows the man is telling the truth because he watched her leave in his memories. Using a knife from his pocket, Sebastian slices his wrist and pours his blood into a cup offered by Vorn. He mixes an ounce with the juice and orders Keane to drink it.
“It will heal you and replenish what I took. Forgive me… it was a shock to me.” Sebastian watches as he stares at the cup but does not drink. “Don’t worry, this is not how a vampire is created.” He grins and it is a ghastly smile. Blood streaked tears have dried, leaving grisly tracks on his face. That, along with the blood on his clothes, Sebastian looks every part the evil vampire.
The blood of an ancient vampire is powerful. It rushes through the injured man’s body healing as quickly as it moves. Keane is able to sit up on his own and finishes the drink with a glance at Vorn. “Thank you.” Afraid to speak her name again, Keane continues his story.
“She gave me the Book of the Herald and told me the history of her people. Lailah spoke of her love for you and Anya. Her only regret was that you would not know of your child.” Keane stands and moves close whispering, “Lailah said the love she had for you would carry her through eternity.”
Sebastian can’t bring himself to look at Keane, “I will hunt down the Twelve and wipe them from existence.”
“No, Anya is in trouble. She has gone to the gate for just that purpose.” Sebastian turns and Vorn walks over to listen.
“What gate?” Vorn asks.
Sebastian glances at him and wonders how much to tell him. “Anya is the balancer. She was created for just this purpose, but she is not yet in control of herself. A vampire named Caius attacked her…”
“What?” Vorn watches as Sebastian struggles to reign in his blood lust again.
“Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Are you not an ancient? Control yourself!” He snaps at Sebastian before turning back to the old man, “We were at a bar when your daughter, or is it your daughter...” Vorn grins, “attacked the vampires. Some she destroyed, but one, she stripped of his gifts, leaving him a feeble human again.”
“The book said that her two sides would need to be triggered. Caius did attack her, but not before she took a chunk out of him. Anya said he was injured and got away.” Keane explains while he begins pulling together supplies. He pushes the wooden side board aside and pops the hidden compartment out. Inside is a long green case with Keane’s weapons.
Vorn helps lift the case. When the lid is pried off the metal case, Keane murmurs. “Hello, my beauties.” Two swords, daggers and a rope. A shotgun and a handgun, with enough ammo to take down an army. He shoves the ropes, flashlight, and ammo into a backpack and checks the pistol before sliding home a fully loaded clip.
Vorn lifts the shotgun up and is shocked by the weight of it. “A little much don’t you think?”
Keane sneers at him, “Not all my enemies are immortal ones.” Vorn laughs and helps him load the rest of the ammo.
Sebastian stares at them like they’ve lost their minds. “Explain to me, why my… daughter is facing this threat alone.”
“Because she’s a wee bit head strong and doesn’t listen to a word I say. She needs you to train her, Sebastian. She has to learn to control her impulses, right now it is controlling her.”
Vorn snorts, “He’s in no better position than her. Sebastian can barely control himself as it is. It will take more than a vampire to train her.” Sebastian glares at him but does not argue. His rage seems to be boiling just beneath the surface.
Keane turns before Sebastian and faces the Drow in his living room. “I understand his place in this, Drow. But you seem a mystery to me. I’ve judged many of your species during my time as a hunter.” He points a sword at Vorn, “What business is it of yours?”
Sebastian growls, “Enough. I need to see my daughter. The Drow is with me, and for now, that is enough.”
“Caius has the book with the location of the gates. I don’t know how to get to her.” Keane explains.
“We need to get to the archives, perhaps we can find a clue to where the gates are,” Sebastian suggests.
“I’ve always wanted to see the inside of a vampire’s lair. However, I have a better idea.” Vorn declares.
“Like what?” Keane asks.
“We need to go see the Shadow King. He can determine Anya’s location.” He doesn’t mention that with the Fae Queens help they can move quickly through space and get to her before Caius.
“Are you mad? Why would they agree to help a vampire? I’ve seen what they do to my kind. No. It will not work.” Sebastian turns to leave but stops at her name.
“Anya is half-vampire and half-angel, Sebastian. They will be curious to see what her gifts are. I promise to keep you safe. I’ll even hold your hand if you wish.” Vorn replies.
This time, when Sebastian flashes in front of Vorn he is ready for him. He moves the instant before Sebastian reaches him. Vorn stands beside the old man, holding a shotgun to the vampire’s face. “You really shouldn’t be so predictable.”
Keane struggles not to grin, “As entertaining as you two boys are, my daughter needs me. I say we go see this Shadow King.” He snatches the weapon from Vorn and grins. “If you had pulled the trigger you would have
