Gunslinger's Moon (25 page)

“Whisper,” Jed hissed.

Rolling his eyes Ross finally began talking. Doubtless it was curses, at least he was making noise. Placing his ear against one of the drawers on the desk, Jed heard the scratching noise. Drawing his Colt, he prepared to open the drawer. Ross leaned over as Jed pulled in open. Hanging upside down near the front was the imp.

Its revolting face smiled wickedly until Jed pressed the barrel directly against its tiny stomach. “Howdy,” Jed greeted.

The imp dropped from the top and looked up. It growled as menacingly as four inches of demon could. Jed slammed the drawer shut, knocking it down. “Get me a piece of string.”

Ross found one and handed it over. Jed swung open the drawer, disorienting the imp. Fast as a rattler he pinched it between his fingers. The thing cursed and shrieked as Jed looped the string multiple times around it. He made sure it was tied tight. Then he shoved it into the little case, he used to hold his silver bullets. The imp tried to shake free but Jed was confident it could not escape, definitely not without him noticing.

“What was that?” Ross asked.

“An imp. Douglas was spying on you. Lucky for both of us, I found it.”

Ross paled a little. “You sure that is the only one?”

“Pretty sure. These things are not the easiest critters to get. Regardless we need to get working, I don’t fancy on staying here all night.”

Jed gave Ross a list of everything he needed. Then he told him to meet at the stable. Leaving through the broken back door, Jed left Ross standing in his office. The new sheriff could not help but feel like a deputy once more. He swore again.

Going back to the stable was as simple as reaching the sheriff. A dark cloud hung over the town, suffocating the inhabitants with dreary hopelessness. Jed had to wait hours for Ross to arrive, only the stable boy any company. For whatever reason the kid did not speak either, he remained silent helping the horses until Ms. Jan yelled for him. Then he ran off without a word.

Ross carried a large bundle of supplies when he finally appeared. Inside was food to last several days and gear to make living beyond the town more pleasant. Other than questions about recent happenings, none of which were pleasant, there was nothing left for Jed at the town. He did instruct Ross to build a healthy number of stakes.

Leaving Sheriff Ross, he beat the setting sun to the cave. Obadiah was on the hill on lookout and he saw Jed first. He waved and moved down the hill. Little had change in the hours Jed had been gone save for the thin green stalks sprouting before the cave. Nadi’s powers were truly remarkable.

Beth was sitting in the shade. Her skin appeared a little red. The constant sunlight was affecting her. “How did it go?”

Jed responded, “I reckon it went better than I could have expected. Don’t worry we won’t be out here much longer.”

Obadiah ran up, breathing hard after his sprint. Jed instructed him to see to the bags, adding caution was needed. When Obadiah peeked under the cover, he exclaimed, “Dynamite!”

“Courtesy of Sheriff Ross,” Jed informed. “It seems we were mistaken about the dour lawman.”

“How is the town?” Beth asked concernedly, feeling partly responsible for the tragedy.

“Not good,” Jed admitted. “Douglas has most of the folk working in his mines now. The few that managed to survive. It has become something more like a ghost town. He has concentrated his men around that area. That place is too well-guarded to try and fight there. We’ll need to take them out piecemeal.”

Eagerly nodding Obadiah said, “Divide and conquer.”

“Exactly.” On the dirt Jed drew the three points of Hickory, the train station, and the mining camp. They formed a misshapen triangle all interconnected. The rumblings of a plan had drifted into Jed’s head earlier. All afternoon he dwelled upon a course of action. “We make them worry by first striking at the train station. Douglas will fear that we are trying to make a run for it.”

“But we won’t be.” Beth affirmed.

“Nope. We also get him to send some men to kill Ross. Once we eliminate those two groups we can strike Douglas himself.”

Nadi asked, “How do we get him to do that?”

Jed pulled out the case from his vest. He could not help but smile. Rattling it elicited shrieks and he said, “With this little guy. Inside is an imp. We need to get this guy on our side. Any suggestions…doctor?”

Nadi frowned. “I can work with simple minds.” She relieved him of the case.

“Get plenty of rest,” Jed ordered to the others. “Tomorrow we fight back.”

Chapter 19

The first duty was pulling on the boots, then buckling the gun belt. Meticulously, the guns were cleaned, removing all the dust and grime accumulating the last couple of days. Breakfast was eaten, a real meal with bacon, and the fire was put out. Saddles were thrown over the horses. Cinches were tightened, bridles secured. The horses bit down on the reins. The riders swung onto the seat.

Nadi handed the case. Jed slipped it in his vest. “Spirit power?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Jed started the journey. They were leaving the cave for the last time. It was do or die. Too many times had he ridden through the dusty canyon, it felt like the back of his hand. Jed hoped to never visit again. Despite the lack of immediate hurry, they rode quickly toward the train station, the hooves hammering the dried earth.

Jed stopped a mile short, the building clearly in view. He opened the portable telescope. “They’ve got heavy curtains over all of the windows. They won’t see us coming.”

Nadi said, “They will not have much of my potion left. Especially not for all of the vampires. There is a chance they cannot survive in the sunlight.”

“So let’s make some noise. Giddy up!” Jed, Beth, and Obadiah galloped across the distance. Weaponless, Nadi stayed to the rear holding the dynamite.              

They covered the distance in brief minutes. From the cover of the thick curtains, shots rang out. They came from two different windows. The shots missed. Jed and Obadiah leapt from the horses. With shots firing true the two gunslingers blasted into the windows scattering the glass. They hid in cover under the windows Swiftly Obadiah reached above grabbing hold of the curtain and pulling it out. The sun struck the vampire hiding behind, scolding its skin. It screeched backing into the shadows.

Jed crouched over the other window and did likewise, revealing the vampire to the sun. As it backed up, Beth came from the front in lightning swiftness. Crossing the floor, she grappled with one. Knocking clear stray glass, Jed hurdled over the window. He shot the second vampire, using the Kruger. The heavy shots thumped the vampire off its feet. Beth tossed the first, throwing it outside.

Reacting on instinct, Obadiah fired two shots. It was pointless, the sun immediately fried the flailing the creature of night. Inside Jed held his fire. The vampire was motionless. Its wounds slowly healed.

Jed turned to Beth, “If you would be a dear?”

“My pleasure,” she replied, a threatening overtone in her voice. Bending, she gripped the vampire’s head and twisted violently. Jed almost winced at the audible crack from the neck.

The station was clear. Jed removed the imp from the case. It was still tied up. Picking apart the knot he asked, “Do you remember what you are supposed to say?”

The imp hissed in reply, stamping its hooved feet impatiently. Jed waved it off and the demon scampered away. Nadi entered holding the bag of dynamite. Jed remarked, “Your magic better work.”

She reproached, “I do not question your weapons, so do not question mine.”

Jed winced. “Let’s get the dynamite ready.”

He and Obadiah went outside, their goal was to place the dynamite beneath the building. The station was raised high enough for someone to crawl. At least it appeared the case.

“How much do you reckon?” Obadiah asked placing the dynamite on the ground.

Jed scratched his forehead. He had no idea what would be a sufficient amount. “Get ten pounds or so. Place it in the center.”

Obadiah glanced up. “Why am I going down there?”

“You’re skinnier, now hurry up.”

Getting below the low plank was the hardest task. Once underneath there was room to wriggle around. Pushing the bundle of dynamite in front of him, Obadiah crawled. Estimating that he was directly beneath the center, he started back peddling, making sure he straightened the fuse. Horribly uncomfortable he scuttled out, banging his head at the last moment.

They led the fuse line out a healthy distance from the station. Jed clapped Obadiah on the shoulder. “We’re going to leave you here now. Remember, light the fuse when you see them enter. Lie on the other side of the train tracks. You only have one shot. Be careful.”

Obadiah nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay. I’m taking your horse, so walk back to town when you’re finished. We will meet up at the sheriff’s office.”

Jogging back to the station, Jed collected Nadi and Beth. Mounting they rode off to Hickory.

Douglas nudged the curtain open, peeking through the window to see the work. The miners were making excellent progress. They should since he enlisted the help of dozens of men from town. Most of whom previously mined for gold. Profits should increase by half, he estimated. More than half, as now he did not have to pay the miners. Taking complete control over the town was proving more than beneficial. He was free to completely control his land as true royalty should.

True there was some negatives. This business with the gunslinger was annoying, not to mention Beth’s betrayal. What irked Douglas the most was Nadi leaving. For years the witch doctor had enabled him to lead his vampires in daylight with impunity. He had collected all the plants and herbs Nadi had left behind. It would have been troublesome had he not known the recipe to the potion. Nadi had always guarded the secret, never knowing he had sent his little imp to spy the secret years ago. Unfortunately, he could not have her ability to grow gardens in deserts. Right now there was only potion for a few days. Douglas had been forced to place most of his vampires in their coffins during the day.

That left the problem of guarding the miners to arise. Soon he would be forced to hire some of the men themselves to guard over the others, which would require guards to watch them. He closed the window, allowing him to dwell on the many problems he faced.

The door opened and Jonathon Reed entered. He appeared flustered. Douglas set his jaw, annoyed that more bad news was imminent.

“The imp arrived,” Jonathon informed, opening his hand to reveal the little devil. It appeared excited itself, not keeping still on the palm.

It was placed on Douglas’ desk and he leaned forward to listen. It hissed and crackled speaking in its hellish tongue. Douglas sat back, fingers drumming on his chair. His father had taught him how to speak it years ago. Jonathon was right the news was not good. The imp rummaged around his papers looking for food. Douglas had no blood to reward the mischievous beast.

“What did it say?” Jonathon asked.

“It appears that our little problems are trying to escape. Take two men and go to the train station. The gunslinger’s apprentice is escorting Beth and Nadi. Take the witch doctor alive. Send two vampires to Ross. Our new sheriff was helping them.”

His second in command smiled wickedly. “Good, I’ve never liked that man.”

“Make sure Ben is sent to the sheriff. Give him a chance to prove himself.”

Jonathon turned and left. Douglas was left to his thoughts. He contemplated how expensive it would be to transport stone. Maybe even a gargoyle or two. His childhood home left the vampire a fondness for foreboding fortresses.

Obadiah wiped the brow from his forehead. He had an awareness for how vampires felt in the sun. At any moment his back was sure to ignite. The beating sun was frying him like an egg. There was little he to do beside stare at the ground. A vulture cried high in the sky, lazily flying in a broad circle. That bastard better not be waiting for me, Obadiah thought grouchily.

Beyond the train station horses came galloping. Briefly Obadiah looked up, unable to see anything he stayed low, not willing to risk an accidental glance ruin his hiding spot. The pounding hooves waited and Obadiah tensed. He took out a match and held it against the box strip. The dynamite fuse was lying before his nose. Contemplating whether to wait longer, anticipation beat out and he lit the match. The fuse sparked to life and the fire swiftly traveled down the line.

From the back of the building a door was kicked down. Obadiah covered his ears. He waited what felt like a long time. Every nerve in his body tightened to the impending blast. Thinking it should have detonated by now, Obadiah lifted his head over the railing. Jonathon Reed was standing on the platform, his gun holstered. Two other vampires followed him, but they stood in the doorway. Jonathon had a thunderous expression on his face. He started back inside.

The explosion happened so suddenly and so forcefully, that the roof was sailing in the air before Obadiah reacted. It was a cacophonous boom, displacing the floors and walls. Replacing it with an enormous ball of smoke. Shards of wood rained down. Instantly, Obadiah kept his eyes down and covered his head with his hands. Crashing around was large chunks, sections of wall.

Ben stumbled out of the door, falling on the dirt. He groaned, the sun licking his wounds with its vengeful heat. He tried to roll on his stomach. Jed followed, the iron barrels at his side hot. The gunslinger was calm as he stood over Ben. The former store owner with a paunch glanced up, eyes completely black.

“Sorry Ben.” Jed emptied the Kruger. He grabbed one of the stakes Ross had given out and punched the sharpened wood through the heart. The gunslinger turned his back on the burning corpse.

Ross limped out. “They weren’t so tough,” He boasted.

Stopping himself from rolling his eyes was the hardest thing Jed did. Instead he said, “We should collect all the guns in town.” The few folk remaining were walking outside, keeping a distance between them and the shooters. Maybe twenty remained in Hickory.

“No use. Douglas took all the guns earlier,” Ross educated. “He took about everything but the buildings and the weak looking folk. I’m sure he plans on using the rest of food later.”

Judging from the onlookers, that was true. Most were older men, loose in the teeth and frail in the arms. This town had been a last desperate chance to make a new life and strike rich. Ms. Jan was still in town and currently striding over to them. Beth told Jed that she and Nadi were going to find new clothes. Jed told them to hurry. They heard the blast minutes before Ben arrived. Obadiah would be on his way over.

Ms. Jan a furious expression on her face, a common look, marched up and demanded, “Are you going to kill Douglas?”

Jed nodded.

“Good,” she stated. “That man is horrible for business. Do not expect any free rooms from me though.”

Jed shook his head. He said to Ross, “You staying?”

“Hell no,” he snorted.

“Get a horse ready. We are leaving soon.”

That left Jed alone, waiting for everyone to come back. The town’s people seemed content to wait near the shelter of their houses. None stepped forward to volunteer and offer to help. Not that Jed would have accepted any from this lot. Still he wished they pretended to have the guts to fight evil.

He was sitting on the porch when he heard gasping and mutterings. Someone was walking down the street. Jed shielded his eyes for a better view. It was two men, one following the other. Jed’s eyes widened as he saw the leader was Obadiah.

Slowly, Jed came onto the street. Obadiah was beat up, his eye swollen and holding his body like he suffered a thrashing. Jonathon Reed had an iron grip on his shoulder. The vampire himself did not look to good, his skin was red and fuming.

“Sorry Jed,” Obadiah groaned. “I don’t think it was enough dynamite.”

“Quiet,” Jonathon snarled pulling his head back. “I’ll snap his neck with one hand, Jed, if you make another move.”

Jed stopped, a cool calm settling over him. “I don’t know how you survived or how you are walking and it does not matter. I’m going to end you.”

Beth rushed by, hitching up the skirt of her new dress. She stopped beside Jed gripping his arm tightly. “Let him go Jonathon,” she called out.

Jonathon yelled back. “If I let him go, he won’t be breathing.”

There was a click and Jed yelled furiously, “Damn it Ross. If you take one shot, I will lay you down myself!”

Behind the gunslinger, Ross put his gun away. “I bet you don’t have a plan!”

Jed focused his eyes intently on Jonathon. One of his fingers rubbed his thumb unconsciously. “What do you want?”

Jabbing a finger at him, Jonathon responded, “You. I’ll be taking you to Douglas. I will let your partner go if you drop you guns and follow me.”

“Jed don’t do it!” Obadiah yelled desperately. The vampire hushed him.

“You once said you were faster at the draw than me,” Jed yelled out. “I reckon now is a good time as any to put your words to the test.”

“Interesting. What about them if I shoot you down?” he requested.

“That would be your problem,” Jed answered. “But I swear they won’t get involved beforehand.” Those last words were said as he glared at Ross. The sheriff frowned like a petulant child.

An eager smile crept across Jonathon’s face. The scruffy black beard parted and his incisors gleamed. He was vampire, and vampires moved faster than humans. Something Beth knew firsthand.

              She implored Jed, “Don’t do this. He is not some young fresh vampire. Older vampires are much faster than humans, Jed. Let me do it.”

Removing her hands off his arm, Jed told her, “Go wait with Nadi.” Reluctantly, she dragged her feet glancing back, but the gunslinger was staring straight ahead, pale eyes hard and jaw set.