Fear the Light Read online

  Julian spoke and it was clear that he already had a top suspect in mind. “As far as I remember it was you, Faust, who always wanted to be the leader of the clan.”

  "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

  Julian reacted as if struck. Faust had always known how to push the former priest’s buttons.

  “I admit it, I had my disagreements with the master,” said Faust. “Dracula was old and wary of his own power. He was desperate to keep our existence a secret, making us live in the shadows when we should’ve been ruling the humans-”

  “Sounds like a good reason to push for a change in leadership,” Julian noted.

  Faust’s fury was palpable.

  “The master was set in his ways, but I loved him like a father. I doubt you felt the same way.”

  Faust advanced, inches separating him from the former priest.

  “Dracula took a devout priest and gave him an express ticket to hell. Maybe this is your misguided attempt at salvation?”

  Julian held Faust’s gaze, glowering, but remained silent.

  “What about Oliver Twist here?” Zane asked.

  Sebastian’s eyes found the cocky biker. Zane continued, “I see how vampire boy looks at us, jealous that he's stuck in the kiddie pool. How does it feel knowing you're never going to grow up?”

  “You tell me, asshole,” Sebastian retorted.

  A thin smile flickered across Vincent’s face.

  Touche, old friend.

  Vincent’s amusement was wiped off his face the moment he sensed Faust’s intent stare. “Is there a problem?” Vincent asked.

  “You're the only one in this room who doesn't embrace what you are.”

  “And that worries you?”

  “Whoever did this hates our kind.”

  “Trust me, if I was behind this, you'd already be dead. I don't play games.”

  “Neither do I,” Faust said.

  Angelique shot them both an exasperated look.

  “This is getting us nowhere. We can't turn against each other. That's what this guy wants.”

  “You're right,” Faust conceded. “And that's why I'm getting out of here. Right now.”

  Julian raised an eyebrow, curious despite himself. “And how do you plan on doing that? We're trapped in this place until sunset.”

  Faust's determined expression shifted toward Maria and Paul.

  “That's where you're wrong, padre.”

  Faust scooped up a wine glass and filled it with water. Vincent regarded Faust, curious despite himself.

  “What’s your plan?”

  Faust stepped up to Maria and removed the gag from her mouth. Vincent tensed, not sure he’d like what was going to happen next. Faust gently pressed the glass against Maria’s dry lips. She hesitated for a moment, suspicious, expecting some sadistic ruse or new form of cruelty.

  “Drink!” Faust commanded. His voice still held the authority of his previous life.

  Maria threw her caution to the wind and started greedily downing the clear liquid. Animal instinct had taken over and despite everything, it was clear that her will to live was strong. Once she had drained the glass - not a single drop remained – Faust proceeded. “Do I have your complete attention?”

  Maria slowly nodded.

  “I bet you don't want to see your sweetheart get hurt, do you now?”

  Maria shook her head.

  “What do you want from me?”

  “I'm offering you a way out of this nightmare,” Faust explained. “A chance for you and your man to walk away from all of this. Sound good?”

  Maria didn’t answer right away, too scared to say anything. Now that her thirst was quenched, the terror had returned.

  “I don’t understand…”

  Her voice broke off.

  Faust adopted a gentle tone that belied his cruel nature.

  “There's something I want you to do for me.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  IT WAS A quarter past ten when Faust set off for the main entrance, Maria and Paul trailing on his side. Paul stumbled as if wading through concrete, weakened by the loss of blood. His breathing lurched raggedly. Zane was right behind them as Vincent and the rest of the group brought up the rear. Faust paused in front of the main door, which led back out into the courtyard. The others followed his example, deciding it would be wise to keep a safe distance from the entrance. Faust unlatched the bolt and turned the wrought-iron doorhandle before giving the door a gentle push. It swung open, revealing brilliant daylight beyond.

  The front awning blocked much of the light from streaming into the chateau but it was still blinding to the creatures of the night. Even from this distance and angle, Vincent could only look through the door for a split second before he had to shield his eyes. Black dots were already dancing in his field of vision. Taking a stroll across the sunlit courtyard held as much appeal for a vampire as swimming through piranha-infested waters did for a human. The results would be equally dramatic.

  Faust tilted his head at the black BMW parked in the circular courtyard and addressed Maria. “You see the parked cars near the fountain? The black BMW?”

  Maria nodded like an automaton, held fast in an icy grip of terror. Faust produced a set of car keys from his pocket and handed them to Maria.

  “I want you to get my car and pull all the way up to the main entrance.”

  Maria nodded, eyes questioning. Still trying to make sense of this sudden turn of events.

  “It’s simple. Cooperate and both you and your fiancé live. Break my trust, and I’ll find you no matter what rock you crawl under.” The tone in Faust’s voice left no doubt he’d make good on his sinister promise. But Maria remained a frozen statue, retreating into herself.

  Zane shook his head. “What's her fucking problem?”

  It was Vincent who offered an explanation: “She knows we're going to kill her no matter what she does.”

  Faust’s eyes lit up with growing exasperation. “I promise if you don't do what I say, I'll rip your husband's throat out right now.”

  Faust’s threat hung in the air, his façade of civility gone. The old Nazi wasn’t messing around. Vincent would have to intervene before Faust lost his cool and carried out his threat. He approached Maria, doing his best to come across as unthreatening as possible – not the easiest feat, considering the circumstances.

  “What's your name?”

  The woman’s dull look of fear lifted slightly but her words came out as a glassy whisper. “Maria...”

  Vincent leaned closer. “Maria, I can’t imagine how you must feel. I know you're afraid, but if you help us, you and your husband will make it out of this place alive. You have my word.”

  Zane snickered, entertained to see a vampire humiliate himself in such a manner. Zane didn’t negotiate with the meat. After all, people didn’t make empty promises to the hog they were about to slaughter.

  Maria searched Vincent's face. The earnest tone in his voice inspired confidence. He could feel Maria staring at the key in her hand for a second, then at the car parked a few hundred feet away from the main entrance. Sunlight glittered across the vehicle’s newly waxed body. Her gaze returned to her husband. He sat on the floor, head slumped against the wall, unconscious, the loss of blood having gotten the better of him. His abysmal state decided it for Maria.

  “I’ll do it,” she said.

  What impressed Vincent the most was how swiftly Maria acted once her mind was made up. As soon as Maria declared her intention, she walked through the arched doorway and stepped into the waiting light. Almost as if she feared that any additional hesitation could change her mind all together.

  Angelique flashed Vincent a smile. “Nice job. But then again, you’ve always had a way with the ladies.”

  “How much do you want to bet she's just going to take off?” Zane said.

  “She'll do everything in her power to save her husband,” Angelique said, her full attention fixed on Vincent as she added, “Never underes
timate the power of a woman’s love.”

  ***

  Outside the chateau, Maria advanced toward the row of parked cars as the searing summer sun beat down on the driveway. Maria kept blinking as she shielded her eyes from the glare, the harsh light promising hope and freedom and forming a sharp contrast to the dimly lit chateau. The sweet illusion had lost its power to fool Maria at this point – she knew all too well that daylight offered an only momentary respite from the horror movie her life had become.

  Maria crossed the cobbled driveway and kept stealing nervous glances back at the chateau. All too aware of the nightmare creatures who lurked within its walls. Even though she couldn’t see the vampires from this angle - they remained cloaked in the shadows beyond the open doorway - she could feel them watching her, their eyes following her every move. Seeing everything. Missing nothing. It was hopeless.

  Maria still didn’t want to believe it. She was being held prisoner by monsters. She and her husband had stumbled into their dark web, and Maria doubted there was a way to untangle themselves and escape their fate.

  They’d been exploring France for a week and had decided to venture beyond Paris. Their love of French wine and the beauty of the region had lured them to the city of Bordeaux. The drive was amazing, like traveling back in time. They had passed farms that had been around for centuries; vineyards as far as the eye could see. And it would have been the perfect trip if it hadn’t been for their foolish decision to help a stranger in need.

  Paul spotted the broken-down BMW on the side of the road. Almost immediately, Maria felt a growing unease, as if she sensed what awaited them. She had tried to convince Paul to just keep driving. The sun had already set, their French was negligible (three weeks of Rosetta Stone took you only so far) and they would be of little help. But her protests had fallen on deaf ears.

  Paul killed the engine and hopped out of their rental car, a Peugeot 380 SW. Maria stayed in the vehicle, unable to shake the ominous sense of foreboding. Her intuition turned out to be prophetic. The driver seized control of the situation and speedily overpowered them both. By the time they regained consciousness, they found themselves inside the chateau. Prisoners now, the course of their lives irrevocably altered.

  And once again the German vampire was asking for her help. But this time was different. This time it wasn’t an elaborate trap. This time he actually needed her assistance.

  Maria had no idea what had put the vampires in such an agitated state, and part of her didn’t want to know (after all, what could scare a vampire?). She could sense that they were facing an unprecedented challenge and she was thanking her lucky stars that events had taken a turn in their favor.

  Maria stepped up to the BMW and pointed the car keys at the vehicle. Escape seemed so near, yet so far away. Part of her just wanted to get behind the wheel of the BMW, floor the gas and leave this place of death behind. But then there was the image of Paul. Her dear, beloved Paul.

  She couldn’t abandon him and leave him at the mercy of these creatures. She expected Faust to break their agreement at a moment’s notice (save yourself!) but the wedding band weighed heavily on her heart. Even if she somehow should make it clear, the vampires would eventually track her down. And in the meantime, she would have to go on with the knowledge of having abandoned the love of her life. Maybe she’d live to see another day, but would she be able to live with herself? Deep down, Maria already knew the answer. In the end, there wasn’t much of a choice to be made. There was only one option for her.

  Maria pressed a button on the car opener and a click indicated the alarm had been disarmed. She got into the luxury vehicle and closed the door behind her. The tinted windows diffused the sunlight and made her feel like she was back in the castle. Her fingers closed around the steering wheel, clinging to it as if it was a life preserver.

  She started the car and the engine roared to life. Seconds stretched as the car idled, the motor humming with German efficiency. Freedom was so close, yet so far. What to do?

  In the end, it took Maria all of her will and love for Paul to put the car in drive and direct it toward the chateau’s main entrance. Her decision was made from the heart and she sensed that her fate was sealed in turn.

  ***

  Faust stood in the entrance hall’s open doorway, his face filled with a satisfied smile as the BMW made its way toward the main entrance.

  Good girl, Faust thought.

  The BMW pulled up to the awning, which covered part of the driveway. The car came to a halt under its protective cover, shadows engulfing the vehicle. With quick steps Faust made his way to his BMW, dipping under the awning. Though the car was bathed in shadow, it was still daytime and his skin almost immediately began to sizzle.

  The pain was intense but still manageable for the former Nazi. His sizzling flesh dredged up memories of his days torturing prisoners of war with a searing hot poker. He had been a monster in life, so not too much had changed. Becoming a vampire had merely made him a more efficient version of his former self. In a bizarre way, it might have actually made him a better person. In the old days, he murdered for sport and for country. At least nowadays it was merely about personal survival.

  Faust tore the door open, wisps of smoke curling from his barbecuing skin, and yanked Maria from the idling car. Faust slid behind the wheel and quickly shut the door. Like the windows inside the chateau, the blacked-out glass offered complete protection from the deadly effects of the sun.

  Faust wasn’t a fan of scenic drives where, at a moment’s notice, he could be somehow exposed to sunlight. What if some drunk driver barreled in his car, shattered the polarized glass and turned the vehicle into his own, personal microwave oven? But at the moment, he didn’t have much choice. He needed to put some distance between himself and the chateau, get his thoughts in order and lick his wounds before figuring out who was behind all this.

  Faust caught movement in his rear-view mirror.

  None other than Zane. It looked like the biker had decided to hitch a ride. Well, it wasn’t going to happen. Faust had little love for the leather-clad brute and the thought of the two of them sharing a ride held zero appeal.

  “Hey brother, wait up!” Zane said.

  Faust’s response was to lock the doors. The BMW's engine screamed as Faust stomped the gas. Before Zane could wipe the surprised look from his face, the BMW performed a sharp U-turn, tires kicking up a wave of gravel. An instant later, the sleek machine shot away from the castle.

  ***

  Vincent watched Zane return to the entrance hall with a shell-shocked Maria in tow. The biker was dragging the poor woman along like a rag doll. “Nazi prick just fucking made his getaway.”

  Vincent was both surprised and impressed by Maria’s decision to return. She had decided to forgo her chance at freedom and return to the chateau. He wouldn’t have held it against her if she had abandoned Paul. She was faced with an extraordinary situation and normal reactions could not be expected. But Maria hadn’t opted for the easy way out. Her love for her husband was deep and it was true. Vincent just hoped that Paul reciprocated this woman’s affections in the same way and would fully appreciate the sacrifice she’d just made. Maria was given a choice between life and love, and she had chosen the latter.

  Sebastian swapped a nervous glance with Vincent. “Don’t tell me the Kraut’s going to ditch us?”

  Vincent was pretty sure Faust was only looking out for number one. He had never pretended to be anything else but a selfish bastard who liked to play all the angles, as long as they worked in his favor. But as the BMW’s tires kicked up plumes of dust, spun around the fountain and whipped toward the wrought-iron gate that enclosed the lush estate, another thought occurred to Vincent. It had all been… too easy!

  A terrible sense of foreboding took hold. “Something’s wrong.”

  “What do you mean?” Angelique asked.

  “The killer must know about our human prisoners.”

  Understanding filled Angelique�
�� face.

  “So he’d have anticipated this move-”

  “Give me your phone!”

  Angelique sported a puzzled expression but she obliged. Vincent practically tore the cell from her hand and thumbed Faust’s number.

  ***

  Faust glanced at the rear-view mirror with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. He had escaped the trap, and it filled him with a sudden incredible thirst for bloody vengeance. He’d park the car in a nearby grove and return upon nightfall. He’d find whoever had engineered this whole sordid affair and make them sorry. His thoughts were interrupted by the chirp of his cell phone.

  It was Angelique.

  Fuck that bitch!

  He’d always found her annoying as hell.

  A grin etched across Faust’s face as the wrought-iron gate jumped into view. Expressing his sense of triumph, he floored the gas pedal, pushing the engine past forty-five and…

  KABLAM!

  The BMW erupted into a giant fireball!

  The mushrooming blast obliterated the polarized windshield and tore Faust apart. The sunlight engulfed the disintegrating vehicle and was forced to make do with the scraps that weren’t devoured by the explosion. By the time the twisted hunks of metal crumbled across the chateau’s driveway, and a fiery tire landed in the gurgling fountain with a giant splash, nothing remained of Faust but a fine mist of ash.

  ***

  Vincent watched the burning wreck in stone-faced silence for a second before averting his gaze from the pulsating power of the sun.

  Two down, six to go!

  As soon as the thought hammered through Vincent’s mind, all the other cars in the driveway detonated, a geyser of fire and steel that turned the world into a whirlwind of burning destruction.

  Hell on Earth.

  The shockwaves rippled toward the chateau and rocked the structure to its foundation. A few vampires were sent flying.