Fall of the Mortals (Book 1) (31 page)

“Well?” asked Campbell.

“The Kennedy was taken, sir,” said Stanton, looking down in shame.

“Taken?” asked Campbell in disbelief.

“Yes sir,” Stanton repeated in a quiet tone.

“You mean to tell me those flying things took down a damn naval carrier, admiral?” asked Campbell.

“The ship still stands but every member of my crew is dead, Mr. President,” said Stanton, not able to believe his own words. “We’ve never encountered an enemy like this, sir. They came over the water and attacked everyone on the ship with speed, strength and ferocity that I’ve never seen in all my years at sea. I myself barely escaped.”

Campbell sat speechless, rubbing his chin, not knowing what to say. Lennox was baffled. He feared for his naval carrier on the West Coast.

“Well, I’ll be damned, gentlemen,” said Campbell, still amazed at the horror of it all. “I don’t have the slightest clue where this leaves us. The Kennedy was the last line of defense for the entire eastern seaboard.”

“Admiral? What about the aerial assault on New York?” asked Lennox. “How many of the enemies were terminated?”

“Terminated?” asked Stanton, shocked he was even asking about it.

“Do you have an estimate?” asked Lennox.

“The aerial assault was an utter failure,” Stanton responded.

“I beg your pardon?” asked Campbell.

“Our most powerful weapons were non-effective,” Stanton answered. “The enemy burned. Buildings collapsed on top of them.”

“And?” asked Lennox.

“They got up and flew around like a bunch of damn kids at recess,” Stanton responded.

“Good Lord,” said Campbell. “What do we do?”

“Mr. President? My ship, the U.S.S. Arizona is in range of Los Angeles,” said Lennox. “I could order a full nuclear strike on the city.”

“Admiral Lennox? I’d like to advise you to reserve your military ordinance,” Stanton suggested.

“With all due respect, Stanton, you used the VX nine warheads which don’t possess the full power of a nuclear bomb,” Lennox responded in a sharp tone.

“Now, wait just a minute—”

“—No, you listen! We can’t afford to lose the West Coast to these things and I will not have them take Arizona from me either!” hollered Lennox. “The Arizona is all we have, gentlemen. It is the true and only last line of defense for the human race. It’s time to stop
playing around
with these things and get in there and kick some ass.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” hollered Stanton, standing up in anger. “You think I just handed them my ship?”

“Your pilots tinkered around with these things and pissed them off!” Lennox yelled. “They took your ship for it.”

“How dare you!” shouted Stanton.

“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” hollered Hansen.

“Mr. President, I need your authorization for a strike against Los Angeles, sir,” said Lennox boldly.

Campbell sat quietly, waiting for his bickering admirals to quiet down.

“If we start sending in missiles and destroy the place, they’re going to know where they came from,” said Campbell in a calm voice.

“Sir, we launch in the daytime and blow them off the face of the planet while they sleep,” Lennox answered. “They won’t know what hit them.”

Campbell sat back in his chair, stunned he was faced with such a decision.

“Los Angeles destroyed? What kind of headline is that for our future generations?” asked Campbell.

“Mr. President, the fate of the human race is in our hands,” stated Lennox boldly. “If we fail to act now, we face certain extinction.”

Campbell sat back in his chair and stirred a cup of tea nervously.

“Do we know how many civilian casualties we’re looking at?” he asked.

“Sir, our readouts show none exist in the area that we know of,” answered Lennox. “There may be a few hiding out somewhere. Casualties should be few if any.”

“My problem is if there’s only a few humans remaining in the world and we wipe out everybody in the L.A. area, how does that further our cause?” asked Campbell. “Not to mention the countless billions in property damage and a metropolitan area that would be uninhabitable for years.”

“With all due respect, Mr. President, we must act now,” said Lennox, sounding like an advisor. “Our race is depending on it.”

Campbell sat in his chair staring down, trying to think of another way but knowing there were no other options. He tapped his fingers on his armrest but he was stumped.

“Mr. President, sir?” asked Lennox.

“How long before you can deploy?” Campbell asked, grimacing.

“The problem in Los Angeles will be resolved within seventy-two hours, Mr. President,” Lennox answered.

“I’m not opposed to it but my decision will need more time,” stated Campbell, his voice sounding heartrending.

Stanton sat in his chair, infuriated over Lennox’s campaign. He’d seen firsthand what the enemy was capable of. Lennox was about to start a war he couldn’t win.

***

Shaun woke up in a small, dark, confined space lying on his back. His hands were crossed at the chest. The top of his head rested on a pillow while his feet nearly touched another padded board. He reached up and felt the top of the box he was in. It also was padded in silk lining. His eyes went large with fright realizing he was in a coffin! He yelled, forcing the lid open as he sat up. He looked around breathing heavily, noticing his coffin was next to other closed coffins, which encircled a nine-foot statue of their father, Count Dracul Arcos. Dracul’s arms were extended outwards. The face of the statue appeared to wear a dark smile. Around the base of the statue was a wood burning fire that was dying. It was the only light in the room.

All the coffin lids opened at the same time. Kristof and his brothers came out of each of them and floated to the fire warming their hands above the flames. Shaun sat in his coffin watching them.

“My father was the world’s greatest vampire,” said Kristof, glancing at Shaun. “He gave his life for us.”

“Is that why you have a statue of him where you sleep?” asked Shaun.

“We warm our hands at the feet of our father to show him respect. Despite everything we’ve accomplished so far, he is still over us,” said Kristof in a humble tone.

“One night, when we were small boys, our father took us to the top of his castle,” said Lucian his voice sounding warm from reminiscing. “He said to us,
My sons, behold the world out there. One day it will be ours. One day, we will rule the mortals.
I asked him
Why can’t that day be today, father?
He said,
Because our time is not yet but is nigh at hand
.”

Shaun was moved by Kristof’s emotions of his father.
I can’t believe Kristof is able to feel so much for his father being the brutal killer that he is
.
The brotherhood of vampires operates much like a family in organized crime. Once you’re in, you’re one of them and part of the family. If you’re out of their circle of trust, you’re just a stranger who could die at any moment,
he thought.

“Why the extra coffin?” asked Shaun, noticing one of them was still closed.

Lucian and the brothers glanced at Kristof whose face grew a hard expression.

“It was Miranda’s,” Kristof responded in a sad, quiet voice. “Never to open again because of
them
,” he added, his voice sounding furious.

Shaun felt stupid for asking. A horrible feeling came over him knowing he killed Miranda.

“Doesn’t it bother you when you have to kill other vampires?” Shaun asked Kristof. 

“Always, but treacherous blood is no good to us,” Kristof answered. “My vampires are my people. My brothers and I created them all. So, because there are billions of us around the world now, we can afford to rid ourselves of any that dare betray us.”

“And their death will be horrible because they betray the power that was given to them,” said Adrian.

“The power to fly,” said Seth.

“The power to stay young,” said Lucian.

“The power of strength,” Kristof.

“To never have sickness,” said Adrian.

Shaun sat quietly as he took in what they said. He feared the truth would leak out about who he really was. 

“But these are dark and horrible words, Shaun,” said Kristof. “You’re a great ally to us. You will help us destroy the last of the mortals, fulfill our father’s vision and edify his glory.”

“Then your future will be bright, my friend,” said Seth warmly.

“Yes, then I will make you the ruling vampire over any province you choose in the world,” said Kristof. “The under classes of vampires will be your subjects.”

“With fresh blood being brought to you daily,” Lucian added with a creepy smile.

Alessandra awakened and sat up in her coffin. She stretched her arms and looked at Shaun with wanton eyes and a smile.

“And of course, a queen at your side,” Kristof said in a charming whisper, smiling at Shaun, implying Alessandra.

Shaun smiled but anxiety flowed through him like a river of murky water. He couldn’t believe the world could be so easily handed to him despite his treachery towards the vampires.

“The fire feels nice,” said Alessandra, floating above the floor holding her hands over the flames.

“Join us,” said Kristof.

“So, what are you discussing?” she asked, placing her arm around Shaun’s shoulders.

“I was just saying Shaun shows great potential among us,” Kristof answered taking a wine glass in his hand with blood in it.

“Excellent,” she grinned, glancing at Shaun with pride.

“C’mon, I want to show you something,” said Shaun, standing and taking Alessandra by the hand.

“Off so soon?” asked Adrian.

“Alessandra and I have much to talk about,” said Shaun with a fake smile.

“Vampire love is forever, Shaun,” said Kristof, raising his wine glass to them with a sad look forming in his face. “May you two have what my Miranda and I once had.”

Alessandra grinned. Shaun felt horrible again. The guilt poured over him like hot tar. He took Alessandra by the hand and the two of them vanished.

“Young love,” said Kristof, taking another drink of his blood.

***

Shaun and Alessandra appeared on top of Kristof’s mansion. She let go of his hand.

“They seem to like you,” said Alessandra, her hands behind her back, glancing back at Shaun and pacing along the rooftop.

“Should I be frightened?” asked Shaun.

“A rare opportunity,” she responded. “Stay with them closely and they’ll make you powerful.”

“Is it possible for one to betray them and win?” asked Shaun.

“Impossible,” she answered. “Very few have tried to challenge Kristof and his brothers but they failed miserably every time. They crush anyone who opposes them. They are the elite class of the vampire race.”

“What if someone brought them down?” asked Shaun. 

Alessandra glanced at him as if she didn’t know what to say.

“What if Kristof and his elite brothers fell at the hand of another vampire?” Shaun asked, floating around Alessandra with a peculiar look on his face.

“You know someone who would dare try it?” she asked, wondering why he would ask such a question.

“I’m just having thoughts,” said Shaun, knowing she wasn’t ready to know his true intentions. “So tell me, is there a way I could disguise myself and control a mortal?”

“Why?” she asked.

“I have a new idea,” Shaun responded.

“Which human do you want to deceive?” asked Alessandra.

“There’s one in the tower I need to get to,” Shaun responded.

“But why? The heavy rainstorm will come in two days,” she stated. “We can get in with Kristof and his brothers through the weak area on the roof.”

“True, but what if you and I got to the mortals first without Kristof and feasted on them ourselves?” Shaun asked.

“Kristof is offering you the world,” Alessandra responded, floating in the air. “Why ire him and his brothers? What is there to gain other than some blood and much animosity?”

“The last of the mortal blood,” Shaun answered, raising his voice slightly and floating off the roof.

“What is it you’re not telling me?” asked Alessandra, drifting up to Shaun face to face, staring into his eyes.

“What do you mean?” Shaun asked.

“There’s something about you and these mortals in the tower,” said Alessandra suspiciously. “Who are these people?”

Shaun rubbed his forehead wanting to trust Alessandra with the truth but he knowing he couldn’t. Not yet. He feared she would rat him out to Kristof for her own gain.

“What are you hiding from me?” she asked still with suspicion.

“Nothing. Just show me how to do it. It’s all I ask,” Shaun responded. “Will you come with me?”

“I don’t like it but I’ll come with you,” she responded.