Legacy of Darkness (4 page)

As the last of the human cattle fell onto the street Oliver finally saw her. There could be no mistaking the girls flame red hair and bright green eyes, this was girl number two on his list and just like the fist she was indeed a true beauty. Her hair was long and full her eyes bright and stunning, her features soft and delicate, her lips red like the darkest rose, she was indeed a rare bounty. Just like with Jessica it was almost a shame to kill her, but Oliver’s Master had decreed it and his orders must be obeyed. Oliver would follow his instructions to the letter.

He waited as the young women strolled past him and made her way down the street, Oliver let her walk a few feet before he decided to follow, just like he did with the pretty teenage girl a week ago. Oliver stepped out from the shadows and stalked her carefully, keeping just enough distance so he could follow her without any undue suspicion, then when he was ready to make his move, like a cat he would pounce on his quarry.

Since he had been a Vampire Oliver’s perception of time had changed, as he had become so much faster everything else had become so much slower. He could detect the smallest of movements made by other creatures and react to them in impossible speeds. So when the girl he was following started to turn her head to glance behind her, Oliver had already bolted into the cover of the shadows by the time the girl had completed the movement. He could hear her breath as she sighed with relief upon seeing nothing but an empty street that disappeared into the darkness. But her relief would be short lived as very soon Oliver planned to take his victim. He could already see the fear in the girls eyes, that combined with the loss of hope was nirvana to Oliver he even wished he could freeze time so he could preserve that moment and relive it again and again for all eternity. Every victim had almost the same reaction when they saw his now disfigured face, pure terror and disbelief and Abby Richards was no exception as he finally brought her into the purity of darkness.

Summer awoke from her slumber next to a naked Steve to the sound of her mobile phone it was her day and even though it was nearly nine am she was still peeved at been awoken by the sound of Katy Perry when she was hoping for a long lie in. “what’s going on” Mumbled a still half asleep Steve

“Its Mother” Summer said surprised to see it was her Mum calling her so early. Summer answered the phone. Placing the receiver to her ear. But Linda was in hysterics and Summer could make out a word she was trying to say.

“Mother!” Summer called down the phone “you need to calm down, what’s the matter”

“It’s your cousin Abby….. Linda said pausing as she struggled to find the right words to say….. she has been found dead”

“No!” Summer cried in disbelief “What happened?”

“I’m not sure” Linda replied trying to compose herself “They think she was murdered”

“Murdered what the hell.” Summer said angrily she was already beginning to wonder if this killing was linked to her case. wondering why she hadn’t been informed of the homicide by her boss.

“I’m so sorry Mother, I loved Abby I remember babysitting her when she was little, please pass my condolences to Aunt Jenny”

There was a long pause as both Mother and daughter didn’t know what else to say. Abby had been a bright and cheerful young woman who they had both adored and now some sick psychopath had taken her away from them.

“I love you Mum” Was all Summer could say as she held back the tears. Linda returned the statement before hanging up, no doubt she had more relatives to inform of her Nieces passing.

Summer put the phone down and turned to Steve who was now fully awake.

“What’s wrong babe” was all he could say as he wrapped a loving arm around her shoulder. For a few moments Summer couldn’t say a word instead letting the emotion pour out of her. All her sorrow and anger streaming out in the form of tears that streamed down her face. Then as if suddenly remembering she was a Detective with a job to do, Summer quickly pulled herself together and dialled Adam Greenhorns number. She wanted to know as much about this murder as possible.

Adam answered the phone in a sombre tone. “Hi Summer I take it you have heard about Abby, I am so sorry for your loss”

“Thank you” Summer replied appreciating her bosses condolences. “Can you tell me anything about this Murder?”

“As you know I can’t allow you to work a case where you have emotional attachments” Adam said mournfully “But off the record I can tell you it’s the same M.O as the murder of Jessica Folds.”

Not for the first time this morning Summer felt silent, contemplating the murder of her cousin Abby. If only she had been able to do her job and catch the Perp, Abby’s murder would have probably been prevented.

“You mustn’t blame your self” Adam said gravely, it was as if he knew what Summer was thinking. “We still don’t know who or where the suspect is, there is nothing you or anyone else could of done to prevent this.”

“I know” replied an unconvinced Summer “You have to keep me on the case” She protested “I know I can catch this son of a bitch.”

“You know I can’t” Adam replied “and you know it’s out of my hands we have to follow protocol or we will all be thrown out on the streets.”

“Who have you put on the case” Summer asked innocently

“You know I can’t tell you that either” Adam sighed growing annoyed “Look the best thing you can do now is take a few days off and we will try to get to the bottom of this case. And that’s an order!”

“Sir” Summer said in obedience finally admitting defeat before hanging up the phone. Letting her frustration boil over she threw the phone on the floor and yelled obscenities at the inanimate object lying on the carpet

“Honey” Steve said in his most soothing voice as he placed his strong arm back around her “What did he say?”

“He’s taken me off the bloody case” Summer replied angrily as she folded her arms

“How come” asked a puzzled Steven

“Because now I have an emotional connection to the investigation and do you know what the worst part is?”

“What”

“He’s bloody right isn’t he?” She grumbled as she buried her head in her lovers muscular chest. “and he’s making me take time off”

“Then its probably for the best isn’t it” Steve said trying to be the voice of reason. “Look your upset and angry and its understandable, a few days off to clear your head will do you good.”

“Your right” Summer said as she lifted her head and gave her handsome boyfriend a peck n the lips.

“Oh my God!” Summer said as a sudden realisation hit her like a bolt from the blue “The both Vic’s were both related to me, the first one only distantly but still a relation non the less”

“You think it might mean something” responded a concerned Steve who was also fearing the worst

“Yes I do” replied a horrified Summer “It’s not just the fact they were related to me, they also had similar family traits. Sporting the same red hair and green eyes as I do.”

“You think this killer has a specific type” asked a growingly concerned Steve

“That’s precisely what I am saying” replied a rather serious Summer “A type that is specific to me and my family.

“But why” asked a bemused Steve

“I honestly don’t know, there’s nothing special about my family as far as I know”

“whatever the case you need to be extra careful just in case your next on the list” Steve warned

“I hear you” Summer agreed “I wonder if they found any DNA on the Abby’s body”

“Why does that matter” Steve wondered aloud while pulling a puzzled face

“Because it could confirm if it was the same Perp or not. But I guess I’m never going to find out now.”

“Are you going to inform your boss of this discovery” Steve asked

“I’m not sure” Summer sighed “He will only want to surround the place with Uniforms and I am sure he will find out for himself soon enough”

“What’s wrong with having some security around the place?” Steve asked “If some one is after you its better than ending up dead“

“Because I wont be able to do anything or go anywhere and do you want your every move to be watched twenty four seven, because I sure as hell don’t”

“I could put up with it if it meant you were safe” Steve countered. The argument continued for several minuets until Summer finally conceded. She knew Steve was right. Adam needed to know that both Victims were related to her and that the killer may be targeting woman that look a certain way. The surveillance he would put on Summer would be worth it if no one else died and or if they caught the Perp.

With that thought Summer jumped off the bed and started combing the floor looking for the phone she had chucked there just moments earlier. After a few minutes searching she found the Smart phone under the bed, how it had found its way there from the angle she had thrown it was beyond Summer, but she retrieved the phone any way and pressed Adams speed dial. The phone rang several times with no answer. Undeterred Summer phoned the number for his desk this time the phone was answered but only by Adams secretary. Who explained that DCI Adam Greenhorn was busy and currently unavailable. Frustrated Summer hung up the phone, so far it really hadn’t been her day.

Harry Worthington sat on his black leather chair staring at an endless stack of paperwork that sat on his antique oak desk. Unfortunately paperwork was a necessary part of the job although it was one he could really do without. There were so many things he could be doing instead of wasting time filling in and signing forms. No wonder the country was in so much peril it had become swamped in red tape and bureaucracy

Harry Worthington was Prime Minister of England yet at times he felt as useless a chocolate tea pot. Everyone wanted to block his proposals at every turn, most of the time it was the opposition, but sometimes it was his own back benchers. It seemed everyone was in politics for their own agenda and it was making it near imposable to push through the proposals needed to get the country back on track. The people had elected him to do a job, but certain people seemed determined to stop him from doing it. Harry ran his hand through his grey and thinning hair and completed a deep sigh before staring back cross eyed at the notes on his desk at Sixty years old he wasn’t getting any younger and he wondered if at his age he would get voted back in for another term in office. The way things were going he had to concede it was looking unlikely. But election year was a while off yet and he had more pressing things to deal with like finally getting the countries economy back on track after ten long years in the financial abyss.

Harry snapped out of his train of thought and went back his impending paperwork when moments later he was distracted once again, this time by the vibrations of his private mobile phone. Someone important was trying to get in touch with him. Harry’s private mobile was an old Nokia 3310 that only contained the number’s of other world leaders and members of The Elite Council and it was such a member who was calling him now. The ID screen told Harry Worthington that it was Adam Greenhorn who was calling him.

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“

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“We need to convene the council” Adam told Harry

“Ah” Harry responded “That kind of situation, how quickly can you get down here?”

“take me about two hours Sir”

“Then I expect to see you then” Harry told Adam bluntly before hanging up. This was an unexpected turn of events Harry hadn’t expected to use the Elite Councils services during his term in office. If he was been honest he wouldn’t of expected them to be needed again, how wrong he was. Phone still in hand Harry began texting the other members in the council informing them to drop whatever they were doing and to convene in his meeting room in two hours sharp.

As Summer lay on Steve’s double bed the man himself was down stairs preparing a breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast for his pretty girlfriend. Steve loved nothing more than doting on Summer, buying her flowers, chocolates and serving her breakfast in bed. She always appreciated the little things Steve did for her and all he wanted in return was her smile and a few kisses and Summer was more than happy to oblige.

As Steven cracked a couple of eggs into a bowl ready to whisk he went back into his memories recalling the very first time he met Summer. It was a Saturday night and Steve was out enjoying a few beers with a couple of friends from the fire department. They walked into the third bar of the night, a pub called the White Lion. It was Steve’s round and as he approached the bar that’s when he saw her, the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. Her had long, luscious red hair, that looked like a fire cascading down her neck and little black dress. The dress was figure hugging and short, barely covering her modesty and as Steve walked up beside her he was instantly dazzled by her bright green eyes. This beautiful muse had him hooked from the very first moment and by the look on her lips she knew it.

“Hi” She purred “As she looked Steve up and down

“Hi” Steve replied trying to act as cool and confident as he possibly could under the pressures of speaking to such an attractive girl.

“Can I buy you a drink” Steve offered as he could think of nothing else to say

“Why not” The girl smiled “I’ll have a Vodka Lemonade please”

“I’m Steve by the way” he said introducing himself

“I’m Summer” the girl responded

“That’s a beautiful name” Steve told Summer trying his best to flatter her

“Why thank you” Summer Gushed “So Would you like my number then?”

“That would be cool” Steve replied “Gorgeous and direct, I like it”

“Ha ha, flattery will get you everywhere” Summer giggled

Steve smiled at Summer and took his phone out, they exchanged numbers and then Steve ordered his drinks, three beers for himself and his friends and a Vodka Lemonade for the pretty girl in the black dress. As Steve left with his drinks Summer reminded him to text her and gave him a sexy wave goodbye. He text her the very next day and the rest as they say was history.

With breakfast served and placed on a tray along with a glass of pure orange juice, Steve picked it up and carefully carried the meal up the stairs and into his bedroom. Summer smiled as she saw her handsome boyfriend re-enter the room bringing her breakfast in bed.

“You shouldn’t have” Summer said half heartedly in her sexiest voice

“You know I love spoiling you” Steve admired shamelessly “Plus there’s an ulterior motive for my pleasantries this morning”

“Oh is there now” Summer teased as she pursed her lips together enticing her man.

“I was hoping to build up the courage to ask you to move in with me”

“Yes” Summer blurted out without having to think about it “My answer is yes”

“Great” Steve smiled “Though I’m not making you breakfast in bed every morning” he joked

“and why not” Summer pouted trying to tease Steve.

The invitation for her to move in with Steve was as welcome as it was unexpected she had hoped the relationship was heading in that direction but wasn’t sure when he would make his move and now that he had she couldn’t be more pleased. With a few days off work now would be as good as time as any to start moving in, with Steves consent of course. Summer’s life was starting to move in the right direction.

Sat in the Prime Ministers briefing room at number ten Downing street were the four most prominent members of the Elite Council, Harry Worthington the Prime Minister, Alice Holiday the Home Secretary, The Police Commissioner Sir Warwick Moore and DCI Adam Greenhorn who’s Father and Grandfather had been on the council before him. Legend was that the Elite Council had first been convened over two hundred years ago by the then government to discuss and deal with elements of the supernatural, most notably Vampires and that was exactly what had brought them here today.

Besides the four member’s all of whom were well acquainted with one another, there sat another man that non of them could recognise. The man was well dressed in a sharp black suit with a white shirt and red tie. He wore Gucci glasses and his hair was slicked back. He sat up straight on his chair and had a dignified look about him as well as a slight air of authority. The others couldn’t help but look at this stranger and wonder who he was and he himself could feel their eyes burning holes in him, desperate to uncover the man behind the suit.

“Let me introduce you all to Giles Price” Harry spoke with great authority “Mr Price is an expert who I have brought in to help and advice us. He was instrumental in coordinating the great cull of two thousand and two”

“Where we were told the Vampire threat had been eliminated” Alice Holiday scoffed. Alice was as brazen as she was pretty. She was the youngest member of Harry’s cabinet at thirty eight and although she had obtained her loft spot by hard work and great intelligence many doubters theorised it was more to do with the pretty brunettes looks than her brains. Something that obviously irritated the young cabinet member.

“Idle boasts made by Harry’s predecessor” Price said in a well spoken accent his voice full of confidence “I warned him that there was no way we could have destroyed all the Vampires but he didn’t want to hear it”

“Then I apologise Mr Price” Alice said far from sincerely

“Now that’s settled” Harry cut in “Why don’t you tell us exactly why we are here Adam”

Adam Greenhorn wasted little time in explaining about the two murders that had occurred in recent weeks. He also placed two photographs one of each victim in the centre of the large rectangular meeting table. The other four in the room stared at the pictures in disbelief at the striking resemblance of the two victims.

“They could be sisters” The aging Police Commissioner stated after he picked the photo’s up for a closer look. Sir Warwick was a tall and heavy set man in his late sixties he was a well respected disciplinarian who had been elevated to his current position in order to whip a fading police force back into shape. So far he had done an admirable job despite having many naysayer’s who despised his “old fashioned” methods.

“May I see” Price asked politely

“Certainly” Sir Warwick replied as he handed over the photographs

“Fascinating” Price mused aloud as he studied the pictures intently

“Not exactly the words I would use” Said a clearly disgusted Alice

“Apologies I didn’t mean it like that, It’s just that these girls bare an uncanny resemblance to a women from several hundred years ago. I may have a theory to why these particular girls were murdered in such a manner.”

“Don’t hold back on us man” Harry boomed as he demanded answers

“Quite” Price said seemingly unaffected by the authority of those around him. “Looking at the colour of the girls quite startling red hair I would have to assume these girls have lineage to the Demon Hunters of old”

“Demon Hunters” Harry scoffed never heard of them

“I wouldn’t expect you have they where thought to be extinct for over two hundred years. But obviously like the Vampires they found away to survive”

“How?” Alice asked curious

“I couldn’t say and it’s not important right now. What is important is that the Vampire’s are hunting the remaining legacy of the Demon hunters. In short they are eliminating their greatest threat”

“But why?” asked a concerned Harry

“They are getting ready to make their move” Price explained before been cut off by Sir Warwick

“What kind of move”

“If you would let me finish” A stern Price scolded to stunned looks all round, to his credit Price ignored the looks and carried on talking.

“The Vampires are looking to take control of the world”

“Bollocks!” Roared the Prime Minister “If they were going to do something like that they would have done so before”

“And they have, the Roman Empire for example and in the middle ages the church sent various crusades to the middle east to quell a growing Vampire army.”

“That’s nonsense” Alice said “History has never recorded Vampires at such events

“Of course not” Price said “History is written by the victors and they tell us only what they want us to know. Anything that is deemed unfit or dangerous for the masses to know is hidden away or destroyed. Look my point is that if the Vampires are killing these girls they are getting ready for something big”

“You think a war is coming” Harry asked

“I do but what sort of war I couldn’t tell you, with modern technology anything is possible. They could strike at any time with a coordinated attack, that would leave us like sitting ducks. Or they could take us out by infiltrating our ranks, turning the rich and the powerful into Vampires and taking us over slowly and quietly. Before we knew what was happening it would already be too late. I would also suggest that the Vampires are trying to send out a message by leaving the two corpses out in the open like they have.”

“What sort of message” Asked Alice

“They want us to know that they are here and that they do not fear us” Price said gravely.

“If this is true” said a deeply concerned Sir Warwick “How the hell do we stop them”

“Do we know if there are anymore girls?” Price asked

“you mean that fit the victims description” Adam asked knowingly

“Yes” Price responded simply

“I know of one” Adam told Price “My Detective Inspector: Summer Richards she is a dead ringer, pardon the expression for these two girls”

“Then she could be the next Hunter and she will be in grave danger”

“Hold on” Alice said “What exactly are these Demon Hunter’s and what makes them so special.”

“They are girls blessed with a great mystical strength that makes them far stronger and faster than the average human. This in turn enables them to combat Vampire’s and demons. Our only hope is to bring Summer off the bench and try to bring out her dormant powers before its too late.”

“And how do you propose to do that” inquired a curious and concerned Adam Greenhorn

“Right now I couldn’t say, maybe I could find something in one of my old tomes. But let me assure you that Summer Richards may be our only hope of defeating the Vampires”

“Then its agreed” Harry said the authority back in his voice “You will approach the Hunter yourself and get her ready to slay the Vampires. Do what you must but she can never know of our involvement, understood?!”

Price nodded in agreement as a frustrated Alice Holiday spoke out in objection.

“Sir you’re not telling me you believe in this nonsense, there’s no such thing as Demon Hunters its hogwash”

“That’s what most people would say about Vampires if I am not very much mistaken. Your opinion is noted Alice but my decision is final I brought Price in for his expertise and to do a job and I am not going to stand in his way and neither are any of you. Have I made myself clear?”

Everyone in the room nodded in silent agreement knowing they had no choice but to follow their Prime Ministers orders, the pressure was now on Giles Price to convince Summer Richards that it was her destiny to be the Demon Hunter. Something he knew was going to be rather difficult

Acre 1291

The night air was filled with the sound of war, the clashing of steel against steel as swords came to blows, the battle cries of warriors and the sound of flesh being mercilessly ripped apart. Blood was being spilt and soldiers were falling as two warring sides fought to the bloody death. The enemy were far stronger and faster, but they had started to become over whelmed by the sheer number of their opponents. Long ago they had called themselves The Templar Knights. But they were not Knights, they weren