Vampires of the Eight, page 3
part #1 of Vampires of the Eight Series
Clayton took a whiff of the scent outside. “It’s one of our sweet smellers.”
He opened the door. His neighbor, Pierre, fell on top of him.
Clayton carried him to the couch, propped up a giant fluffy pillow, which he knew was a sign of affluence many of his neighbors did not have. Clayton made him rest while he retrieved water from the well outside.
After Pierre took several sips of water, he managed to sit upright. He glanced at the expensive pillow but said nothing.
“Pierre, what was so urgent that you banged on my door at this hour?” Clayton asked with compassion.
“The sour smellers attacked us!”
“What? Are you sure?” Ada asked with skepticism.
“Of course, I’m sure, Ada! I barely made it out alive!”
“How many of them are there, and are they still here?” Clayton asked as anger built up inside him.
Pierre took a quick gulp of water before answering. “At least a half dozen of them. And they are still here because they were looking for you! You need to go out there and save our families! They want you to meet them at the Council Square now, Clayton.”
Clayton was out the door in less than a second, followed by Ada. It took them less than five seconds to get to the Council Square.
The Council Square was in the middle of the town. The square itself was made of wood from the abundance of trees that surrounded outside their village of crops. The square wasn’t square but built round to accommodate a circle so every council member could face each other.
Clayton walked up the steps and smelled five male sour smellers and one female. He looked at Ada, and she knew that she would have to take care of the woman vampire despite being in a weakened state. She nodded.
Six vampires came out from behind one of the houses from the right side of the large wooden deck where the council met. Each of the sour smellers had a sweet-smelling vampire as hostages.
Only he and Ada were at the Council Square ready to do battle, but he could smell his vampires, and he could smell their fear despite being stronger than the enemy.
“I am called Eli, and I am the one in charge here!” Eli was taller than Clayton, but not by much. Eli did have thirty or forty pounds on Clayton, which didn’t concern him. What bothered him was he had been eating human food for the past two weeks. He didn’t know how much strength he had left against them.
“You’re in charge? I don’t think so,” Clayton said with contempt.
“Where are all your friends? You and your Maid going to fight the six of us?”
Clayton chuckled. “Maid? That was funny, Eli. Tell you what, since you made me laugh, I will let you and your friends go without killing you.”
“My, my, aren’t you the confident one? See, here’s where I tell you the bad news. We’ve been doing some scouting.” Eli pointed his finger all around the village. “You haven’t had much to drink or eat for two weeks or so.”
Carefully concealing his shock, Clayton said, “It doesn’t matter. If I have to, I will die to save my friends.”
Eli brought the captured vampire close to him, closed his eyes, and took a whiff. “You’d die for these sweet-smelling folks?”
Clayton had enough as he stepped down from the square. He and Ada took several steps toward them.
“That’s far enough, mister!” one of Eli’s friends said as he placed both hands on Pierre’s wife.
Without warning, the sour-smelling woman vampire rushed to Ada and punched her in her chest. Ada went sailing into a nearby house and was rendered unconscious.
Clayton ran at top speed, grabbed the woman vampire by the head, and snapped her neck, instantly killing her. He looked down at her and spat.
“You just killed my wife!” Eli yelled.
“Shame. Call it justification!” He pointed around the village. “This is my land, not yours! And I will fight for it with my dying breath!” Clayton said with conviction.
“Your place? Not for long!” Eli said with supreme confidence.
Clayton put his hands around his back. “I’ll make a deal with you, Eli.”
Eli’s blue eyes lit up with excitement. “What kind of deal are we talking about?”
“Release all of my friends, and I will single handedly fight the six… sorry, your wife is dead, make that five of you, I will fight.”
Eli did not like Clayton’s comment. He and the others took a few steps toward Clayton.
Instead of backing away, Clayton walked toward them. Eli seemed confused Clayton did not fear them.
“You know you cannot hope to win against the five of us, right?”
Clayton shrugged his shoulders.
“Think you’re pretty tough, Clayton?”
“Are you going to accept my deal, or are you going to talk me to death?”
Eli looked at Clayton, then looked at his friends. All of them nodded in agreement.
“Okay, we accept your offer!”
They quickly surrounded Clayton. He knew at his current level of strength from not sucking blood for so long; he could take two, maybe three of them, but not all five. But he would not, could not back down in front of his tribe. Clayton was hoping one of his tribesmen would help him because he knew he would not win the fight. And that meant certain death.
Clayton had to make the first move, or his death would be quick. He sped toward Eli’s friend and snapped his neck, but less than a second later, he felt a kick in his back, which made him fall. He was far weaker than he realized.
“Not up to your usual strength level, are you, Clayton?” Eli said tauntingly.
The four vampires rushed to Clayton. They started kicking him and beating him to a pulp. Clayton was helpless as Eli lifted him harshly by his throat. Eli addressed the vampires that refused to come out of their homes.
“There’s a new breed of vampires here today! We shall take over your lands and kill every one of you, sweet-smellers!” Eli said in triumph.
While Eli was bragging, Clayton took a whiff, whirled around, and managed to get loose.
Eli saw the two newcomers entering the area. “And who are you?”
“I am Clayton’s father, Tarson, and this is my wife, Tabatha, and we have come to aid Clayton.”
Eli looked at Tarson and Tabatha, shook his head, and scorned. “You can’t do that; it’s against the engagement rules. Clayton agreed to fight alone and without help.”
“I am not planning on giving my son any physical help,” Tabatha stated simply.
“Then how are you to aid him?” Eli asked in confusion.
“By doing this!” Tabatha removed a cup and threw it in the air.
Clayton sprang into action as he leaped in the air, caught the cup, and landed with the cup still in his hand. He drank greedily from it. Unbridled power surged through him quickly! In no time, Clayton was upon the sour smellers. He rushed to each vampire and, one by one with breathtaking speed broke the necks of all of them except Eli.
“I’m pretty sure that was against the rules,” Eli remarked in protest.
“You took advantage of a bad situation. I made sure to even the odds,” Tarson said with hatred.
“How did you know about Eli?” Clayton asked his parents as he grabbed Eli’s throat and squeezed.
“We were out on patrol when we spotted them hurrying toward here. We knew we hadn't been at our best. Your mother and I went to several towns trying to find a human who had the same blood as we do to make you stronger than if you had other smelling human blood.”
The bruising of Clayton’s ribs and his face were slowly disappearing. He felt whole again.
Clayton walked to where Ada was sitting up and leaning against a house. Eli fought to release himself from Clayton’s iron grip.
“Let me go, Clayton! Now that you’re at full vamp power, I won’t be able to go anywhere!”
Clayton released him and gave him a stern glance.
“Your parents arrived just in time, husband!”
“Yes, they sure did. How are you feeling?” Clayton asked in concern as he helped her up.
“I’ve been better. I wish they had more blood for us.”
“Me too, Ada. It is getting harder and harder for us to find any type of smelling humans to nourish ourselves.”
“At least we were able to help you, Clayton,” Tabatha said as she pointed at Eli. “What are you going to do with him?”
“He knew of our lack of nourishment.”
“What? How?” Tarson asked in surprise.
“He told me other vampires have been scouting us,” Clayton said with concern.
“Impossible!” Tabatha said in surprise.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Clayton said as he pushed Eli away from the Council Square.
“What are you planning on doing to him to extract the information?” Ada asked as she walked next to Clayton and Eli.
“What do you think I am going to do with him? I am going to torture him until he tells me what else he’s learned of his secret surveillance.”
Tabatha looked at Eli. “Do you eat human food too?”
“That is none of your business, Madame,” Eli said softly.
“Son, bring him to the prison shack, and let's give him some human food. If we can stomach it, they should be able to do so as well. If not,” she shrugged as if she didn’t care.
“There are slight differences between the different species of vampires, Tabatha. Perhaps we should be careful,” Ada said carefully.
Tarson looked sternly at Ada. “They were going to kill all of us, our entire tribe, and you want to show them mercy? Did I hear that correctly, Ada?”
Clayton looked at his wife in disbelief. “I agree with my father, Ada.” He turned to Tabatha. “Mother, after I take Eli to the shack and give him human food, I am calling for a special council session immediately. Please summon the others.”
Tabatha nodded. “It is your right.”
Clayton took Eli by the scruff of Eli’s neck. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
Tarson waited until Clayton left to speak to Ada. “Ada, your show of leniency disturbs me.”
“Why is that? Because I think all of the vampires should be treated fairly?” Ada said quietly.
“I have heard talk from other vampires in our area with that same nonsense! You sound like one of them! Are you a vampire, or are you a sympathizer?” Tarson shouted.
“I am a vampire!” Ada said with confidence.
“Good! It better stay that way!” Tarson glared at her. “It’s best if you kept your opinions to yourself about our treatment of other vampires! Do I make myself clear?”
Ada nodded. “Of course, sir.”
“Good. I expect you will go to the council session as an observer only.”
Ada nodded. “I will do as you commanded, sir.”
“I am going to summon the council now. Remember my husband’s warning, Ada!” Tabatha said as she glared at Ada for a few seconds before speeding away.
Clayton walked with Eli just outside of the village.
“Tell me something, Clayton. Why is it that you’re the leader of the Cole tribe, yet Tarson, your father, still lives? Shouldn’t he be the ruler?”
“He would rather lead our territorial army then deal with the tribal policies, so I put him in charge. Why?” Clayton said suspiciously.
“Because I fear him far more than I fear you.”
“You should fear both of us!” Clayton said as they came upon a small shack that stood right before the crops started.
Eli saw there was only one window, and it was small, with metal bars. Eli was surprised the hut was made from bricks.
“Nice accommodations, Clayton.” He sniffed the air. “Why does it smell like urine and feces?”
Clayton shrugged his shoulders. “It’s from the previous prisoners. The former occupants had to relieve themselves somewhere. We’ve had both vampires and humans held here.”
“You don’t have to give me human food, Clayton. We can make some sort of arrangement.”
Clayton scoffed. “Why would I do that when you had every intention of killing me and my entire village?”
Eli frowned. “Our species has always sought blood and conflict. It has always been like that. And don’t tell me your sweet-smelling kind hasn’t done the same thing!”
“Not interested,” Clayton said as he took a key from a small bag tied to his pants. He unlocked the door and threw Eli inside. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back.”
Eli put his hands on the metal bars. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He tested the metal bars. “Has anyone ever escaped the shack?”
“No.”
Eli tested the metal bars again. “They seem flimsy to me.”
Clayton looked at him and smirked. “You could probably escape. Usually, there are several guards to prevent that from happening. I wish you would try so I can kill you myself.”
“You had the opportunity.”
“Don’t make me regret that decision. If you aren’t here when I come back, I will hunt you down, and I don’t care who I have to go through!”
A few minutes later, Clayton came back with bread and water.
“Is that the best you can do, Clayton? Bread and water?”
“For prisoners, yes.”
“I am not going to eat that,” Eli said with mounting dread.
“Yes, you are. If you don’t, I will force you to eat it.”
Clayton opened the door carefully with one hand.
Eli cringed and walked unsteadily to the back of the tiny shack. “Get that disgusting food away from me!”
Clayton closed the shack door. The putrid smell coming from the dirt floor engulfed both their nostrils. “I will not force you to eat the food if you tell me what you learned about us.”
Clayton came closer to Eli, set the water down, but kept the bread in his hand. “Tell me!”
“The fact that there are a lot more different smelling vampires than your precious sweet ones is not my fault!”
“No, it’s not. But the extinction of my tribe is—last chance.”
“Other than finding out you’ve been eating human food for some time, nothing, Clayton! I swear it! Anyone with half of a brain knows our sense of smell is significantly better than humans. We travel, we walk, we talk, we observe!”
Clayton shoved the bread under Eli’s nose. He noticed red lines starting to form on his face. “So, what you’re saying is that everyone knows?”
Eli’s eyes watered. “Yes! How could we not? The difference between my kind of smellers and your kind of sweet-smelling vampires is significant!”
“You tried to exploit our weakness!” Clayton took a small piece of bread and stuffed it in one of Eli’s nose holes.
Eli coughed, and the red lines were all over his face and starting to go down his neck and throat.
Clayton didn’t want to kill Eli, at least not right away. He removed the bread from Eli’s nose and put it on the floor near the door. Within a few seconds, Eli returned to normal.
“We will always exploit your weaknesses! And the other kinds of vampires will too rest assured!” Eli yelled.
“I am debating whether or not to kill you right now.”
“If you let me live, I will tell the others to leave you and your tribes alone.”
Clayton held his stomach while he gave a deep belly laugh. “Right, and I am just supposed to believe you?”
Eli switched tactics. “What would you want to trade my life for?”
Clayton went within inches to Eli’s face. “I don’t know. What do you have to offer?”
Eli moved back as far as he could. “Sorry, but your sweet-smelling blood sickens me in such close proximity.”
Clayton pulled back. “What could you possibly offer me that I would spare your life?”
Eli put his arms across his chest. “What if I told you a secret?”
“It would have to be a big one for me to let you go and explain why to the other council members.”
“Will you let me go?”
“Will I live to regret it?”
“Probably.”
“At least you’re honest, Eli.” Clayton stared hard at Eli and debated. “Tell you what, why don’t you tell me your secret, and if I think it is worth the pushback I will get from the tribe, I will let you go?”
“How about you promise first?”
“Eli, I just feasted from a sweet-smelling human. I am feeling mighty strong right now; give me another reason to kill you.”
Eli knew he had no options left if he wanted to live to see another day. “Fine! The secret is all the tribes are restless. We are tired of England and the king’s taxes.”
“And your point? All the vampires and humans are too.” Clayton walked closer to Eli and did not care if his sweet-smelling blood repulsed him. “ I am getting tired of listening to you ramble on.”
Eli looked at Clayton. He had to tell him the truth. “My point is they want to migrate to another place.”
Clayton folded his arms across his chest. “Another place? Really? Where exactly would that be?”
Eli’s eyes darted back and forth. “There are a few boatsmen that we are conversing with that will take us to another faraway land.”
“Are they the ones docked not far from here?”
“Yes, there are a handful of boats. They think we’re humans and peddling goods.”
“How many boats will you need?”
Eli’s face grew tense. “That does not concern you, Clayton, nor is that knowledge part of our deal!”
Clayton looked at him for a moment, lost in thought. “Okay, then tell me this, Eli. Did they tell you there are other tribes like yours?”
Eli’s eyes squinted. “Yes, why? Were you planning on doing the same thing?”
“Not anymore. You’re free to go. And go quickly, before I change my mind.”
Clayton opened the door, and Eli fled. Clayton walked to the Council Square and saw the other council members sitting in the center of the wooden deck huddled in a small circle.
“I can’t smell the sour smelling prisoner anymore. You let him go?” his mother fumed.
“Yes,” Clayton said as he walked up the steps and faced the elder tribal leaders.
