Gunslinger's Moon (21 page)

Jed managed to step back out of range of the sharp claws. Bjorn chucked a chair haphazardly. A wooden leg rapped Jed on the head. He stumbled out the swivel doors, dazed. He missed the step and fell several feet.

Bjorn followed, his heavy footsteps stressing the wooden floor. Twice more, Jed fired lying down on his back. Bjorn took a step back. Blood was pouring out, loose as water. Bjorn went to a knee, soft growls arising. Jed held his fire, saving his last silver bullet. Fur was matted and soaked with blood. There was no way it could survive. Not a total of four silver bullets all to the chest.

Claws scratched the wood, the hands tightening into fists. Incredulous, Jed saw Bjorn begin to stand. The King of the Hunt was not finished. A sharp wooden stake burst through its heart. Mercifully, the werewolf fell to its hands. Behind him Beth twisted the makeshift weapon. Bjorn gave one more mighty howl. It keened to the moon transforming to a roar. A human roar. With extraordinary speed Bjorn’s hands turned human, the fur disappeared, the snout closed in, and a long dropping mustache formed. She kept plunging the stake deeper with all her might as the transforming body tried to push it out.

Fully human, Bjorn gasped once and died. Beth’s hands were still on the stake.

“Leave it in,” the gunslinger instructed.

She released her hold on it. “We survived.” Almost incredulous.

Jed laid back, taking a moment to breathe in relief. Beth stood over him. She took his hand and smoothly helped him up. It appeared the fight was over. Down at the burning house, he could see Obadiah, a rifle in hand, coming his way.

Beth touched his wounded hand prodding it a little roughly, “We need to let Nadi heal this.”

Gingerly, Jed withdrew it, hugging it close to his chest. “Until then, let’s leave it alone.”

She placed a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Jed,” she began, “do you trust me now? I saved your life. I am not going to hurt you.”

Blast it all, but he did trust her. Despite every experience and instinct telling him otherwise. He nodded. “I do.” She smiled relieved. “Not sure you saved my life though, I still had one silver bullet left.”

There was not time for her to respond. Something threw her to the ground. It was Hudson. The short werewolf, rose from the shadows, bristling teeth. A raised claw slashed from above. No time for Jed to dodge. Not time to draw. A brief second to watch in surprise his life end.

The hand missed his throat. Missed him completely. A bullet had struck it during its downward arc. Another crack. A chip of skull flung up in the air. Hudson’s head jerked to the side. The werewolf stumbled back from three perfectly placed shots headshots. Beth clutched its head in her arms and wretched violently to the side. Limbs twitched briefly. She tossed the corpse away.

Jed looked where the shots had come from. Obadiah lowered the Winchester in his hands. “I told you I can shoot better with the rifle,” he shouted.

Jed waved. Indeed he could. Fifty yards away, in the dark, to hit a moving hand and a small skull multiple times was the work of an expert sharpshooter. Miraculous shooting indeed.

That was not the only miracle. Sheriff Carter showed up, gun out, looking bedraggled and almost as if he had been fighting. Folk were tentatively stepping outside too, now that everything was quiet. The vampires had lost only two of their own, the one burnt to a crisp inside the house and the headless one. None of the other houses caught, fortunately the wind never picked up.

Nadi was examining Ben’s leg. Jed went to say several words of encouragement, the flabby veteran had fought well. Ben was drawn and pale. Sweat glistening on his brow, hands tight. The gunslinger reckoned it was from the vampires in close proximity, not so much the pain. Ben’s hand brushed against his hip.

“One of them got a tasty bite out of you, huh?” Jed joked.

“Hope it tasted good, seeing it was his last meal,” Ben responded.

“Ben, not bad at all.” Nadi walked away. Out of immediate hearing from all Jed whispered, “Not now, we’re not ready.”

Ben gritted his teeth. He nodded.

Clapping him on the shoulder, Jed stood. He went to Sheriff Carter, who was supporting Ross. Jed stared at Carter. “We could have used an extra gun.”

The sheriff did not even meet his eyes. Jed turned to Ross. Ross was hobbling on one foot and fingers on one hand were broken. The deputy could meet his eyes. Jed socked the deputy right on the cheek. The blow set him on his ass. Feeling better, Jed walked away.

His partner joined him. “Bet that felt good,” Obadiah remarked.

“It did,” Jed replied. His spirits were remarkably high. They had survived and killed all the werewolves. Well not quiet all. Two had changed back to human once they had been wounded enough. Now they were tied up. Vampires watching over them. Tomorrow they would hang.

Doctor Heinrich and Grigor arrived, collecting the bodies. They were laid on a wagon. Jed was not sure if they would be buried. A pyre seemed better than taking the time to dig holes. That was what happened to Dane. His body was consumed in the flames.

Beth approached informing, “I talked to Douglas. He says none escaped. It is finished.”

Douglas was stretching his arm. Not the old one, but the one he had regrown. His jacket was missing a sleeve, and his new arm was bare. Slowly, he moved the fingers and hands, testing the joints. Few vampires had the kind of power to regenerate limbs in mere minutes. The last one to regenerate limbs had an insatiable lust for blood. 

Beth was wrong. It was not over. Not hardly.

Chapter 14

Next morning saw the town recovering from last night. They were not doing it peacefully. The end of the werewolves had revealed the vampires. Last night, the folks had been scared. Now they were angry. A large crowd, practically the whole town showed up for the hanging of the werewolves. The two survivors were being hanged that morning. No one wanted to wait for a proper gallows to be built. So a rope was looped through a sturdy awning on the roof of the saloon.

Jed was watching from the other side of the street. Sheriff Carter was walking the prisoners to the appointed place. Several men were acting as guards, ensuring the prisoners did not escape. All along the street, people were jeering and taunting. Some even found stuff to throw. Fruit wasn’t wasted, but someone had thought up the brilliant plan to fill a tin can with dirt and hurl it. The so called guards stepped away from their charges, giving the vengeful crowd plenty of room to throw.

At his side Obadiah shifted nervously. He was not fully comfortable with the degree of violence the crowd exhibited. The gunslinger had no such compunctions. Yesterday, these two men were readying to prey upon the town. Whatever happened to them was justice.

Carter began stating the crimes of the two men. Shouts arose demanding they be hanged immediately. Flustered, Carter agreed ordering the first man to be strung up. The noose was placed over his head. They tightened the rope. Carter looked to the men holding the other side of the rope. He nodded and they pulled. The hangman was lifted off the ground, choking and gasping. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the legs jerked.

Finally, the man stopped moving. A few seconds later and they released the rope. Taking off the noose, they prepared for the second man. As the roped was placed around his neck, his cheeks became drawn and gaunt. The noose tightened.

“Valhalla,” he shouted.

He kicked in the air as he was dragged up. Even louder the cheers rose. Unlike the last man the cheers did not end with his death. Vengeance had been sated. Obadiah looked down, uncomfortable with the ardent display of joy at a man’s death.

Jed said, “Every man has it in him to be a beast as terrible as any monster.”

He walked back to Ms. Jan’s boarding house. Once again he had rented a room. The dour lady had not been pleased to have him back. Money was money, though, and she did accept him, however reluctantly. 

Ben came by later, hobbling on crunches. Anxiety written on his face. “What are we going to do?” he asked, sitting down on a chair.

“Not sure,” Jed admitted. “I don’t want to grab a mob, like at the hanging, and storm them. Many would die. I was thinking, sending Obadiah to the train station. He could go to a city and inform the government. They’ll bring in soldiers, plenty of men equipped to deal with this. In the meantime we should recruit and train volunteers, in case the vampires try anything.”

“What about the sheriff? Is he still on their side?”

“Yes.” Nothing had changed with Carter. Besides, the lawman had cleanly demonstrated he had lost his nerve.

After a moment, Ben said, “I have to admit, Jed, I don’t like waiting. Earlier I was okay, before we fought the werewolves.” He looked at his leg, the large bandage covering his wound. “Last night I had a dream. I was being hunted again, in Andersonville. I could feel those fangs in my neck, feel every part of my body go weary. It has been years since I was last plagued with that.” His hand was trembling. Ben unbuttoned his shirt and pulled the collar from his neck, revealing two white scars.

Ben continued speaking, looking past Jed, “It was hard moving on after the war. Being released from prison with those memories. I nearly lost myself in drink. But I pushed those memories to the back of my mind. Ignored them and moved on. Last night I felt empowered. I was ready to fight. Do you understand, Jed? I need to fight.”

The gunslinger was silent. The conviction in Ben’s voice was unshakable. The portly store owner was ready to fight those monsters who had preyed upon him. Jed could understand that. He could sympathize with it. However, he was not about to tolerate any more vigilantes. Ross had nearly gotten him killed with that kind of thinking. Since taking that Nadi’s potion he was feeling too good. Much too good to die from rash actions. Then he coughed again and he knew feeling good was all relative.

Jed leaned forward. “Listen Ben. Whatever desires for justice or revenge you have, bottle them. I will give the word to when we are going to face them. Until I do give the order, heal, rest, and wait. Understood?”

He got the nod he was waiting for. Ben said, “I will wait. Just know that I ain’t going to back down.”

“Good.”

Footsteps came running from the hall. Obadiah swung the door open. He had a curious expression on his face. One of disbelief. “Jed, there is a mob gathering outside.”

“About what?”

“Apparently, it’s for us.”

Jed rolled his eyes. “I’m coming.”

Ms. Jan intercepted them in the lobby. A severe look crossed her austere face. At times like this she had the resemblance of a hawk. “Stop right there Mr. Ethan.”

Outside, the mob was gathering fuel for their ire from several bellicose men. Sighing, Jed turned to Ms. Jan.

“I assume they want to hang you all.” Her icy gaze indicated no compassion to the three men.

“Probably,” Jed guessed.

“Then I will require your rent.”

“Now?” He asked impatiently.

“If they hang you then you will have avoided paying rent. I will not have you get out of paying.”

“But we will be dead,” Obadiah interjected.

She did not so much as blink. Slightly incredulous, Jed reached into his wallet and handed her the rent. Briskly, she counted, making sure he did not skimp out. Shaking his head, Jed went to the door.

Clearing her throat Ms. Jan said, “If you decide to fight them, make sure you do not damage my building.”

Jed exchanged a glance with Obadiah. His red haired partner muttered in dripping sarcasm, “What a sweet lady.”

A throng of at least fifty had formed. None carried pitchforks, instead many had revolvers at their belts. “Business been good, Ben?” Jed asked rhetorically as all the men brandished weapons pointed toward them.

Ben stared at the ground awkwardly.

One of the men stepped forward. He yelled, “This man was helping the vampires. They all were.”

A chorus affirmed his accusation. “Sheriff, he should be hanged,” another one shouted.

Sheriff Carter was standing off to the side, definitely ill at ease. With Ross injured, he was alone and it showed on his sweaty brow. Jed gave him a look.

“Hang him,” came the call again.

Obadiah said wildly, “We saved you all from the werewolves.”

“They’re in league with those bloodsuckers!” A great roar spread. If Carter was not willing to hang them, then the mob was fixing to do so.

Setting his hat firmly on his head, Jed yelled over them, “Shut up.” The crowd piped down. He coughed briefly. Thankfully the pain was nowhere near as sharp as it had been. “It’s true I fought with the vampires.”

Several shouted in triumph. The gunslinger glared. “We had to fight with them, because you all didn’t. Hang us and who would handle the vampires? Maybe you all would. I see many of you are wearing guns. Okay let’s see if you can shoot. Mind you those vampires will have guns.”

Jed loosened the revolvers in his holsters. His left only made the motion. Despite Nadi’s salve, he could barely move that hand. “Let’s knock out two birds with one stone. I will draw against any man who thinks I’m still working for the vampires.” No one volunteered. “Okay, how about any two men. Scratch that. I have six bullets in my Colt. I will draw against six men all at once.” His eyes scanned the crowd. Frowning, he said, “No takers?”

He spread his arms magnanimously. He chuckled indifferently, “Hell, I’ve got two guns. Which twelve of you are willing to draw against me?” Jed jabbed a finger at one of the more vocal man, assertively wearing a gun. He recognized the man as a miner. “Will you? Have you ever shot another man, let alone a vampire, before?”

Jed asked to all, “Have any of you?” A shuffling of feet. “I once saw a mob try to kill a vampire. They succeeded. Of course the bloodsucker killed twenty of them first. Throats were torn, bones broken, blood flooding the ground, all around nasty injuries. You want to know who the twenty was? It was the first twenty to step up thinking they were hot stuff. The first twenty who thought they could take it on.” He gestured to the front row. “That would mean you all would be dead. And that was against only a single vampire. Douglas ain’t the only one there.”

“Now me and Obadiah are gunslingers. This is what we do. We are willing to fight the vampires. It’d be mighty appreciated if you all went back to work and allowed us to do our jobs. But if you all think you can handle Douglas and his men, then I won’t stand in your way.”

The crowd wavered, torn between Jed’s speech and their passion. Sheriff Carter then said, “Alright folks, let’s go home.” They dissipated, returning to work and home.

“I was getting worried,” Obadiah confessed, watching the backs run off.

“A mob doesn’t think. It is just the anger and strength of all the people part of it. The best thing to do is prove that you are stronger and throw some reason in. Tends to cool their heads.”

“If it doesn’t? How do you avoid a fight?”

Jed glanced starkly at Obadiah. “Sometimes you can’t. Either you or them, Obadiah. It’s like the situation with the werewolves. One of them had to die.”

Obadiah remained silent.

Sheriff Carter approached, bared head showed his thinning hair. Sweaty hands fiddled his hat. “Are you really going to fight Douglas?” he asked.

“We are.”

It was not what the sheriff wanted to hear and his face reflected that. “I don’t think-”

Jed interrupted him. “Carter, I’m going to kill Douglas. There is no if, and, or buts about it. Only a matter of time before he attacks the town. If you plan on warning him, then I will gun you down here. Since you are not protecting this town, I will.”

Dazed, Carter rubbed his head. “I won’t say anything.” Jed let him leave. The sheriff wandered away, absently.

Obadiah remarked, “You don’t think he will say anything?”

Jed responded, “Once upon a time he would have done what was right. That is a shell of a man Obadiah, just trying to survive. He doesn’t know how to fight anyone anymore.” Jed shook his head. “Tomorrow you will need to take the train. Find someone working for the government, maybe a fort. I don’t think we can handle this by ourselves. I will make sure everything stays fine on this front. Can you handle this?”             

Obadiah snorted, “Of course I can. No trouble.” Obadiah was leaning on a post. He did look confident and ready. It was not long ago, he had started. The kid adapted well. 

“What about that pistol the butler gave you? Did you figure out why he gave it to you?”

Jed pulled it out. It was a one shot percussion. It would have been popular before the war and before cartridges. Gunpowder and the minnie ball had to be manually loaded. What Jed had been astonished to discover was the round bullet was silver. He could not help but think that Henry was worried about Douglas. It was the only thing that made sense.

Jed answered, “I think it was a defense against Douglas. I do not believe that old butler trusted him.” He resolved to place it secure in his saddlebags. He had two silver bullets now.

Obadiah was saddling his horse. Placing the heavy saddle over the horses’ blanket, he cinched up the straps.

“Make sure none of Douglas’ men see you leave. We don’t want him to get suspicious for no reason.”

“Well, there is a reason,” Obadiah commented smartly.

“Just be careful.” Jed reminded.

“Relax, it’s hardly dangerous. Besides you haven’t worried about worse things.”

He coughed, spitting out blood.

Obadiah said, “You should see Nadi.”

Dryly Jed retorted, “Relax, yourself kid. You’ve got you’ve got plenty to worry about.”

Obadiah led Indomitable outside the stable. Swinging up, Obadiah said, “I’ll be back in no time.” Clicking his tongue he prodded the horse forward. And like that Obadiah was on his own.

Jed waited till he was out of sight. Then he went to Boy and threw on a blanket and saddle. He planned on visiting Nadi. After taking the potion, he could not imagine going without it. Especially not when he still had business. He knew taking it was a bad idea. It was a handicap. He took Boy and rode out.

The plants growing in front of Nadi’s new abode were much more diverse and flourishing. It should be impossible in the heat. Yet they thrived. He rapped on the door. Nadi opened it, cautiously. Seeing him she clicked her tongue, but stepped away from the door. He walked inside.

“Is this what you want?” Nadi held up the potion.

“Yes.” He said taking it. He drained it right there, ignoring its harsh bitter taste. Wiping his mouth he said, “But that ain’t all.” Nadi sighed, moving to a table. She was dicing plants. Sometimes discarding the roots and sometimes discarding the flowers. Jed continued, “I was talking to Beth yesterday. She said you have found a cure for vampirism. She also said that it could cure me.”