Andrew woke early. It was still dark and the sun was not up yet. Andrew quietly slipped on his robe and tip toed out of the bedroom. Megan was sound asleep and didn’t move at all. He crept downstairs and to the kitchen. Andrew made himself a cup of tea and sat down at the breakfast nook. As he sat there drinking his tea, Andrew mulled over all of the past events. First, he started with all of the things that were factual and based on reality. Wyatt was the prime suspect in the brutal murders of the Higgins family. Sheriff Delsmann was attacked that same night. The remaining families of the Ravenclaw coven have gone into hiding. Andrew himself was attacked a few nights later. He believed that it was a member of the Knights of VanHelsing; possible Night Blade or one of the others. Why he or she attacked him is still a mystery at this point. Recently, Sheriff Delsmann and her team of deputies were attacked. They all died at the scene. The teenagers that Andrew found in the catacombs were all recovering nicely, and so were Chloe and Roxanne. The teenagers were from two of the clans in the Ravenclaw coven; the Moore’s and the Hancock’s. They had snuck out without their parents knowing about it. Once the families realized that they were gone, Vlad Ravenclaw notified the authorities. Andrew, with the support of both the Sheriffs department and the Bayport police had setup to interview the teenagers and Vlad Ravenclaw at the safe house in a few days. In the mean time, Andrew needed to find an expert on vampire covens, and also the Knights of VanHelsing.
Andrew got up and refilled his cup with more Earl Grey tea. He sat back down at the breakfast nook table. Andrew took a sip of tea, drinking in its aroma and relaxing liquids. Andrew contacted his friend at the Bayport Herald. She told Andrew about a feature story that the paper had done last year on author, Kara Sadler. This Kara Sadler had presented information from her book at a conference sponsored by the police department, local churches, and the healthcare community. The book she had written was titled Vampire Chronicles. The book was about the subculture of vampirism and its affects on adults and teenagers. Andrew finished his tea. He got up and put the dishes in the sink. Andrew left the kitchen to go back up stairs.
Andrew walked down the hall. He stopped and opened the door to his office. Andrew slipped inside closing the door behind him. He sat down at his desk and turned on the computer. First, Andrew went on Google and did a search for Kara Sadler. He had over a thousand hits. Andrew thought for a second and went to the ‘free people search’. He keyed in her name. It came up with four Kara Sadler’s. There were one in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Illinois and Ohio. His friend at the paper had mentioned Kara Sadler was from somewhere in Illinois. He wrote down the address and phone number. Andrew logged off there and went to the Chicago Police department home page. Andrew recalled that Talia was a detective in the Chicago police department prior to becoming Sheriff. He copied down the phone number. Andrew picked up the phone and pressed the number. He waited for a minute or two and when the operator answered, Andrew said, “Detective Flannery, please.” Andrew listened further, and repeated, “He gets off at 12 a.m.” Andrew was about to hang up when the operator asked him a question. “Andrew Knight,” Andrew replied. “We go back a ways.” Andrew listened further, and said, “Yeah I know about Riley’s. Just tell him that Andrew will meet him there at midnight, tonight.” Andrew hung up the phone. He shut down the computer and went back to bed.
Father Michael rose when his alarm went off. He got out of bed and dressed for his usual early morning walk. Father Michael went downstairs of the rectory and grabbed the keys. He was out the door in a matter of minutes and on his way down Marshall Street.
Father Michael loved the early morning sounds and sweet smells wafting through the air. As he walked along, the aroma from Hartman’s Bakery filled his nostrils. It made his mouth water. He could smell fresh coffee being brewed for another day at the Chat Room Cafe.
As he was passing by Washington Park, Father Michael stopped abruptly as a hooded figure sprung from the bushes.
“Hello Father Michael.” Night Blade greeted him with a bow.
“What do you want?” Father Michael asked.
“We want you to stop looking for Wyatt,” a second voice came from behind. Father Michael spun around to face them. “He didn’t kill the Higgins’,” Star Blade said.
“We need to talk to him,” Father Michael answered.
“We already have,” a third voice announced.
“And you must be Moon Blade,” Father Michael turned to his right. He saw the third hooded figure. Moon Blade bowed with arms extended.
“His mother has hired a private investigator to find him,” Father Michael answered.
“We know,” Moon Blade answered. “It’s Andrew Knight.”
“Then you know that he will find him,” Father Michael said, proudly.
“We want you to call him off.” Moon Blade took a few steps closer. “Before someone gets hurt, or before Knight gets hurt.”
“Why did you hurt those teenagers?” Father Michael changed subjects.
“They and the others do unspeakable things. Just like those centuries before them, so they have to be punished,” Star Blade spoke first. “They drink human blood and practice unholy rituals.”
“So we have fought against this plague for centuries,” Moon Blade spoke next. “And will continue to do so.”
“Its murder,” Father Michael rebuked. “And that’s a sin against God.”
“We do God’s work,” Night Blade shot back. “And by His will, we punish those who are vampires.” Night Blade moved closer and so did the others. Night Blade drew her swords first. Moon Blade and Star Blade did the same. They raised their swords, crossing them above Father Michael’s head.
“Tell Knight to back off,” Star Blade commanded.
“Or he will get hurt,” Moon Blade added.
“Andrew handled Night Blade quite well,” Father Michael smirked.
“He may have defeated me,” Night Blade got up in Father Michaels face. “But he is no match for the three of us, nor any of our fellow knights. If he pursues this further, Andrew Knight will die!” All sheathed their blades and instantly disappeared.
Father Michael finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was too shaken and immediately returned to the rectory. As soon as Father Michael got inside, he made a call.
Nick walked into Riley’s Blues Club. The place was packed. Nick strode up to the bar, took off his leather jacket and lay in across the stool. He nodded at the pretty girl behind the bar and she nodded back. Nick took out a pack of smokes and lit one up. A few minutes later the girl brought him his drink, a double whiskey on the rocks. It had been a real bad day at work. Most of the morning was spent testifying in court and he had mounds of reports to fill out.
Nick slammed down his drink and ordered another. He lit up another smoke. Nick spun around and scanned the crowd. He liked Riley’s, a blues club, because it was a great place to hang out after work.
Nick finished his second drink and was about to order another when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around on the stool to see Andrew standing there.
“Hey Nick,” Andrew smiled.
“Knight, you son of a b-” Nick hopped off his stool and gave Andrew a bear hug. “How the hell are you?”
“I’m fine,” Andrew grinned. His mood suddenly changed, “We need to talk.”
“What’s up?” Nick ordered them each a drink. “Why are you really here?”
“I’ll explain,” Andrew answered as Nick handed him the glass of scotch.
“Follow me.” Nick led the way. They walked through the main area and finally found a secluded booth near the back.
They slid into the seats across from each other. Nick offered Andrew a smoke, which he took. Nick lit his, then Andrew’s.
“So, why all the mystery s-?” Nick asked as he sipped his drink.
“Do you know a Talia Delsmann?” Andrew took a drink from his glass.
“Yeah, I know her,” Nick answered. “We worked together on the south side. Why?”
“She’s the Sheriff for Bayport County now,” Andrew explained. He quickly finished his drink, but it was Nick that finished his thought.
“What about her?” Nick pressed further.
“Were there any cases that stick out in your mind,” Andrew asked. “You know, anything involving vampires?”
“What the hell?” Nick choked on his drink. “Vampires? Are you kidding me?”
“Just answer the question,” Andrew insisted.
“Yeah, there was one case,” Nick recalled. “The department had received a great deal of missing person reports for several months. There were no solid leads. All of them had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. During that time, we were asked to investigate an abandoned house on South Lake Park Avenue in Oakland. The neighbors had been complaining about noises coming from the house.” He paused and flagged down a waitress to order more drinks. She took their order and left. “When we first got to…” Nick stopped when the waitress returned. “We never found those responsible. It was like they were f- ghost, shadows. There were other reports all over Chicago. They even set up a task force, but nothing came out of it. We never found those responsible.”
“Is there more?” Andrew pressed.
“Yeah,” Nick answered. “There’s more to it. You see, one night after work we came to Riley’s for some drinks. It had been a really rough day for us and we needed to unwind.” Nick paused and took a drink. He cleared his throat and continued, “Anyway we got really wasted and that’s when Talia told me her secret.”
“What secret?” Andrew curiously inquired.
“She told me that at one time she was a, s- I can’t even say it now,” Nick cursed. “She told me that she had been a slayer in her past. She told me she was a vampire slayer and member of this secret society. Talia confessed the horrible things they had done. Well, let me tell you I was f- blown away.” Nick swallowed down the last of his drink. He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply before continuing. “I told her that partners don’t hold s- like that back. I mean we depend on each other and when you find out something like this, well it f- blows you away. Know what I mean?”
“I know,” Andrew swallowed hard this time.
“Talia even told me that she still had all the stuff,” Nick continued. “You know, the outfit, body armor, weapons and s- like that.”
“I see,” Andrew said, in shock. He realized that it was Talia that attacked him while at the Higgins home that night, and not the others.
“So what do we do now?” Nick asked, as he extinguished his cigarette.
“I want you to take me to the house on Lake Avenue,” Andrew finally answered.
“It’s been a year since.” Nick was visibly shaking.
“Take me there.” Andrew insisted.
The two men finished their drinks and they left.
The abandoned two-story mansion with white columns had been boarded up poorly on the first floor. There were uncovered broken windows on the second floor. The black iron fence was standing tall, but was spattered with patches of rust.
Nick parked the car. They both got out. Andrew glanced up and down the street. It appeared that they were alone, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them.
Nick led the way up the steps and to the front door. He stopped to look at Andrew, whom nodded that they proceed. Nick opened the screen door and gave the main door a shove with his shoulder. The simple lock on the door easily gave way. The two men stepped inside.
It appeared that some squatters had been living in the house for quite some time. Andrew surmised that they left in a hurry as they left blankets and personal items behind. Andrew surveyed the room with his eyes. Paint was peeling off the walls and cracks spread out across the ceiling.
“What did you find then?” Andrew looked at Nick.
“Things seemed pretty normal on the outside when we got here,” Nick began. He nervously scanned the room. Andrew thought it was as if some ghost from the past was still haunting Nick.
“What did Talia do?”
“She freaked out, man and took off on me,” Nick answered. “We immediately called for back-up and got out the house.”
“What was it?” Andrew pressed further.
“There were dead bodies everywhere.” Nick pointed at the floor. He looked at Andrew with tear-filled eyes. “There were more in the basement.”
“Take me there,” Andrew asked.
“No way man,” Nick stood frozen.
“Then I’ll go,” Andrew left as Nick stayed behind.
Andrew walked down a short hallway before finally coming to the door that led to the basement. He flipped on the flashlight, grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. A wall of foul air hit Andrew making him gag for a few minutes. Andrew took out a handkerchief from his pants pocket and covered his nose and mouth. He immediately started to descend into the abyss.
Nick dried his eyes.
“Get a grip man,” he scolded himself. “You’re a f- cop for God sake.”
Nick took his flashlight and shone it around the room. He was about to turn when he felt a blow to the back of the head.
Andrew cautiously made his way across the dark basement area. He shone his light down on the floor. There were still blood stains on the concrete. Andrew scanned the wall with the light and suddenly froze. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and an icy chill washed over him. In the light he saw the words ‘Tod zu den unheiligen’ Death to the unholy, scrawled in blood on the wall. Everyone in the house had been victims of the Knights of VanHelsing. Andrew hurried back up stairs.
When he got to the living room, Nick was lying on the floor unconscious. Andrew whirled around just in time to block the blow meant for his head. He followed with a fore fist punch to the hooded figure’s chest, but it had no affect. Instead they struck Andrew squarely on the jaw which sent him reeling backwards, crashing into the wall.
“You’re not Night Blade,” Andrew stood wiping the blood from his mouth. His punch had no affect because the body armor they wore. “Who are you?”
“I’m Trinity Blade,” he said. “And I’m a Knight of VanHelsing.”
“How many are there of you here?” Andrew asked.
“You mean in Chicago,” Trinity Blade answered.
“Yeah,” Andrew spat out blood.
“There are only three of us, no more,” Trinity Blade explained. “No less.”
“So where are the others?” Andrew asked.
“Even if I tell you, it won’t do you any good,” he voiced a smirk.
“Just tell me.” Andrew shrugged his shoulders.
“They’re out hunting.” Trinity Blade was proud.
“Where?” Andrew continued.
“Jackson Park,” Trinity Blade replied.
“Thanks,” Andrew smirked this time.
“Why are you smiling?” Trinity Blade started to say. Nick smashed him across the back of the head and Trinity Blade slumped to the floor.
“Take that you a-,” Nick cursed.
“You call in the troops,” Andrew bolted towards the door, “I’m going hunting.”
“Wait!” Nick called out, but it was too late. Andrew was already gone.
Nick knelt down and placed a pair of handcuffs on Trinity Blade. “We finally got you mother-,” Nick said as he leaned closer to the unconscious man’s masked head.
The cab pulled into the parking lot of Jackson Park, just off of East Hayes Drive. The lone occupant paid the cabbie and thanked him. As soon as the cab took off, Andrew headed towards Wooded Island.
A small crowd was gathered in a picnic area a few yards from the west lagoon. A few were standing and talking; others were seated on the picnic tables. Shortly, three young girls joined the crowd. One by one, each girl extended their uncovered arms, which bore scars from before. One of the crowd, a tall, and lanky youth drew a knife and made a fresh cut. One by one the others gathered for the feast and drank of the warm blood. The blood dolls arched their heads back almost as if in ecstasy.
Suddenly, a scream from the group raised the alarm. Everyone else turned to see two hooded figures rushing towards them. “Run!” the lanky youth bellowed out his warning. The three girls took off screaming, as the rest bolted to get away. The boy turned to face the hooded figures, and brandished his knife. One of the hooded figures drew a sword and jumped in the air with a somersault, landing behind the youth. With one swift thrust of the blade, the boy crumbled to the snowy ground in a puddle of his own blood.
“After them!” Alpha Blade shouted, before heading after three teenagers running towards the west lagoon.
“I am,” Omega Blade shot back, and took off after the rest heading east.
Three girls were huddled together beneath a large evergreen tree. The branches were low to the ground and offered protection, or so they thought. One of them turned around to see Alpha Blade sprinting towards them. The girls left the safety of the tree and made a dash towards the path. For some unexplained reason, they suddenly stopped and turned around. Alpha Blade was sprawled face down on the ground. A dark haired stranger they had never seen before was standing over Alpha Blade. He had tossed the swords a safe distance away. The girls walked up to the man. He smiled at them.
“My name is Andrew,” Andrew calmly said to the girls. “You’re no longer in danger. You can go home now.”
“Thank you,” the girls said, and took off running.
When the rest of the group got to the west lagoon, there were areas open of water. They had no where to go and were trapped. Each one turned around to see Omega Blade standing a few feet away.
“Stop hunting us!” the pretty brunette screamed.
“We haven’t done anything wrong!” a boy with curly golden blonde hair added.
“Leave us alone!” a slender red haired girl’s voice joined them.
“Ihr seid die unheilige, die Sohne u Tochter Draculas,” Omega Blade recited his matra, calling them sons and daughters of Dracula. He drew his swords. “Sie haben gegen Gott und Menschen gesundigt.” He accused them of sins against our God and man.
“You’re insane,” the red head said. She shouted, “Speak in English!”
“Es ist zeit zu sterben!” Omega Blade raised his swords and said it was time to die.
“Hande weg von den kindern,” a voice came from the dark.
Omega Blade spun around to see a dark haired stranger. Each of the teenagers watched as he strode towards all of them.
“Mit mir sie kampfen, nicht mit den Kindern,” Andrew announced that Omega blade leave the teenagers alone and the fight was with Andrew. He continued the sins against God and humanity was with Omega Blade, “Die Sunden gegen den Gott und Menschheit sind deine, nicht der anderen.”
“The sins are theirs,” Omega Blade quoted back. “I have no quarrels with you…”
“Knight, Andrew Knight,” Andrew bowed respectively.
“My fight is with them,” Omega Blade gestured towards the teenagers.
“You kill innocent, unarmed men, women and children,” Andrew stepped closer. “You have a choice, either surrender now, or face the consequences.”
“My brothers will be here soon,” Omega proudly announced.
“I don’t think so,” Andrew said as he produced the swords he had taken, and that were hidden behind his back.
“You die!” Omega Blade screeched and rushed towards Andrew.
Andrew jumped in the air. He landed and smashed into Omega Blade with a spin kick. Omega Blade stumbled a bit. He recovered and swung his swords at Andrew, who blocked the attack. The teenagers watched as the two men parlayed and thrusted their blades of steely death, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, in one finishing move, Andrew did a backwards flip over Omega Blade’s head, landing behind him. Andrew knew that Omega Blade was wearing body armor, so he slashed the back of the man’s legs. Omega Blade screamed out in pain and stumbled to the ground and let go of his swords. He rolled around in agony as blood stained the snow. Andrew tossed the swords aside and drew his Beretta. He walked over and with his foot, rolled Omega Blade on his back. Andrew pointed his Beretta at Omega Blade.
“You can’t kill me like this,” Omega Blade shouted at Andrew. “I have my rights!”
“It ends now,” Andrew said calmly and pulled the trigger. The sound of the shot broke the stillness.
Jackson Park was swarming with police by now. They had discovered the body of the lanky boy by the picnic area. About fifty yards from there, Nick found a hooded figure lying unconscious on the ground. They woke him and placed the man in custody. As they were about to leave, Nick heard a gun shot. He ran down the path towards the west lagoon. Several officers followed him.
When Nick came to a clearing by the lagoon, he saw Andrew standing over a hooded figure lying on the ground. There were two girls and a guy huddled together crying. Nick drew his gun and ran up.
“Put the f- gun down,” Nick cursed at Andrew. “Step away!”
Andrew put his gun down and stepped back.
“Yeah, he stopped that man from killing us,” the curly blonde haired boy added.
“Thank you, Mister Knight,” The red haired girl smiled at Andrew. She walked over and hugged him tightly. Andrew slipped his arms around her and told her that everything would okay now.
Nick kneeled down and exaimed the man. He was relieved that Andrew hadn’t shot him. Nick rolled the man over and put handcuffs on him. He hoped that the arrest of these three so called ‘Knights’ would finally put all of this to an end.
Nick walked up to Andrew and offered him a cigarette. Andrew graciously accepted. He really needed one after his fight.
Neither one said a word, and just stood their and smoked their cigarettes. It would be dawn soon and with it the promise of a new day. Andrew hoped it would be a good one. So did Nick.