Hair, Greg - Werewolf 03 (8 page)

Chapter 16: Requiem

“Where is she?” pleaded Ryker, entering the charred fortress of Burghausen. “Where’s my wife? Where’s Annelise?”

Alessandro followed at a distance.

“Wait a minute, Ryker,” said a blonde-haired woman in a German accent, placing her vampire hand to his chest to stop him. “There are some things you need to know before you see her.”

Ryker looked down at the woman’s hand, up to her eyes, and tried to go around. The German vampire blocked his path continuously.

“Ryker,” she said, “she’s here. She’s safe. Give me a minute. Please.”

“Who are you? How do you know my name?”

“My name’s Jasmin,” she said, placing a ‘y’ at the beginning of her name. “You really think that a coven of vampires living in Berlin wouldn’t know what happens in Burghausen? Wouldn’t know who you are? We’re on the same side. A lot of people worked hard, risking their lives against Nicholas and his minions to get her here. You’ve traveled far, having to double back in the direction you came. You’ve waited this long, another couple of minutes won’t make a difference.”

Ryker backed down, exhaling heavily. “Go ahead.”

“You need to know that whatever I say next, she will recover.”

“Okay.” Ryker looked around for Alessandro. The Italian was carefully exploring the former castle complex. The Dane turned back to Jasmin. “Go on.”

“Your wife has suffered greatly. Physically, she’s in one piece; mentally, her mind is fractured. Like I said, she’ll recover, but it’s going to take time. I don’t know what exactly he did to her, but…we’ve had to take certain measures to make sure she feeds, to rebuild her strength.”

“What are you talking about?” Ryker grew more agitated by the minute.

“We’ve had to give her, and continue to give her, child-blood.”

“You what? She can’t have that! She would never drink that!” Ryker tried again to past Jasmin, when several German vampires approached. “Really? You really think you can stop me?”

“No,” said Jasmin. “You are co-Consul. We understand what that means. But please, listen. We must give her child-blood, because, first, it’s the only thing she’ll drink; we’ve tried other sources. Second, we believe that’s what she was fed by Nicholas. She keeps repeating ‘save the children,’ and we’re not sure what that means, but the blood that’s in her is young blood. We don’t believe your wife is one who would normally drink child-blood, so we think it was used as part of her…torture.

“Because that appears to be the case, she must continue to have to gain strength. Child-blood, as you know, is the freshest, least-toxic blood there is. She’s going to need all the strength she can get, so that when the time comes to wean her off it, and she weakens again from going cold-turkey, it won’t be so bad.

“As I stated, a lot people risked much to save her; you must trust us. We know what we’re doing, and whatever we do is to help.”

Ryker relaxed, standing down, as they would say in the military, from his attack posture. He sat down.

“Where are you getting the child-blood?” he asked.

“We have connections in various hospitals. They give the sources the impression of another blood test. No one is harmed. Listen, Ryker, there’s a little more. She’s very confused. She’s wandering around here like the place hasn’t been destroyed. Time and place are fluctuating in her mind. We think that’s why she kept saying ‘Burghausen.’ She wanted to be brought here…to where she thinks is still home. When you and your friend take her back to Italy, we’ll give you the tools you need to keep helping her, but you’ve got to be delicate. And keep that delicacy in mind when you see her in a moment. Be careful what you say; introduce reality only sporadically. Do you understand?”

“I do. Nicholas is going to die, very soon.”

Jasmin motioned to the other German vampires to back away.

“You may see her now. She’s in what used to be the garden. Thankfully, all the bodies were buried by the locals after your team left. Now, when you reach the remains of the garden, remember, don’t overreact, and don’t be overly emotional. Act normal. It’s just like waking a sleepwalker.

“There is a friend of hers, and yours I believe, with her at this moment. Your friend, who has also been given instructions in how to care for your wife, will travel with you back to Italy. Good luck.”

Ryker stood and, making his way toward the former Southern Garden, felt sympathetic pats on his back from the German coven. The dark of the castle looked even more so under a starless night sky. The bodies were, indeed, gone, but Burghausen, a burnt shadow of its former self, haunted the landscape, like a great life that had, prematurely, been left to die.

Walking through the remains of the great carcass, Ryker came to where the greenhouse once stood, the colorful varieties of living flora having been replaced dark emptiness and death. Sitting inside, was a blonde woman, who Ryker, at first, mistook for his wife.

Then he saw, standing near the chipped remnants of the central fountain, Annelise. She turned, and locked eyes onto him. He paid no attention to the other woman.

“Ryker, honey,” she said, her voice strained, not yet full as it should be, “have you seen this? All the plants are beginning to wilt. Do you know why? Do you think we can bring them back?”

The Dane turned his back to her, not wanting her to see the uncontrollable sobbing that exploded out of him. Suddenly, he felt her hand on his back.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Is it the plants? I think they may be okay. The just need some extra love and care.”

“No,” he mustered, turning back around. “It’s not the plants. And yes, I do believe we can bring them back to where they once were. Stronger than before, more beautiful than ever. You’re right; we can save them, save anything, or anyone, with extra love and care.”

“That’s good. By the way, have you seen LillyAnna? I can’t find her. I can’t find anyone. Where is everybody?”

“I’m glad you asked,” he said, his brain racing to think of what to say next. “Everyone’s in Italy…on vacation. You and I were still packing, so I told them to go ahead. They’re all waiting for us, for you, there, in Venice. Are you ready to go?”

“Oh, yes, I’d love to go to Italy. Even the children are there?” He watched her begin to drift. “The children…save the children. Save the children.”

“Yes,” said Ryker, putting his palm to her cheek, trying to bring her back. “Liam and Mara are there. And LillyAnna. She’s waiting until you get there to go shopping. She won’t go without you.”

“I’d love to go. By the way, you remember Katarzyna, don’t you?”

Ryker suddenly remembered there was another woman in the garden, still sitting only feet from him.

“Katarzyna? Yes, I do remember her. I mean, you.” He reached his hand out in a gentlemanly gesture to help the woman to her feet. “I haven’t seen you in years.”

“Seventy-two, to be exact,” she said. “Not since you and your wife helped my country when we were invaded by the Nazis.”

“That was a very difficult time for Poland, and you, if I recall. You had been turned not long before, and we met when we heard about the invasion, and rushed to aide your people.”

“Yes. We tried desperately to find my family, but never did. At least, not then. When the war ended, I searched again, and found that they had been killed during the first days.”

Ryker watched Katarzyn well up.

“I’m very sorry,” he said.

“Yes, well,” she began, wiping her tears away, “I’m here to repay my debt to you.”

“You are not indebted to us. That’s what my wife and I do.”

“At any rate, when I heard through the grapevine about Annelise, because you know bad news travels just as fast as good, I came immediately to help. I’m going back with you, just in case Annelise needs a woman’s touch on the way. Then, I will be joining your fight.”

“We are both very happy to have you,” said Ryker.

The husband took his wife’s hand once more, and led her back toward Burghausen’s exit.

“Join us,” Ryker said, stopping to speak to Jasmin. “We can use you.”

“We have risked much already, Dane. This is not our fight.”

“This is everyone’s fight. The world will look as you see Burghausen now if we don’t stop Nicholas. And we need as many people as possible.”

“This is true, oh, yes. Alessandro knows,” said the Italian, coming up from behind Ryker.

The Dane turned, and observed something he found quite curious. He watched Alessandro, the Italian vampire, stare, almost shyly, at Katarzyna, the Polish vampire. Ryker then looked at Katarzyna, and saw the same reaction, her eyes meeting Alessandro’s, then following his long, black hair down, scanning his body. Ryker looked one more time at Alessandro, and noticed something else in his friend’s eyes—sadness.

“Alessandro,” said Ryker, “this is Katarzyna. Katarzyna, meet Alessandro. He’ll be traveling back to Venice with us.”

Neither Alessandro, nor Katarzyna, spoke. They simply stood there, looking at one another.

“I hear you,” Jasmin said, picking up where she left off. “But, I don’t think we’ll be going with you. Though we’ve seen the video, I’m sure you will be fine without us.”

“That’s the second time I’ve heard about a video.” Ryker turned his attention back to the German. “A vampire in Paris mentioned it. What video?”

“I can’t describe it. It’s best you watch it when you get back to Italy. You and your friend are Consuls, though. I am sure you’ll be okay without our help.”

“I hope so,” said Ryker. “Thank you for everything you’ve done to help Annelise.”

“What?” asked his wife. “Who has helped me? With what?”

“Nothing,” he said. “It’s time to go.”

“Okay. Who is this?” she asked, looking over at Alessandro.

“Alessandro, I am. Yes, Alessandro. A friend, to be sure.”

“Umm, okay,” said Annelise. “Well, nice to meet you.”

Ryker led his wife, Alessandro, and Katarzyna, back down the hill, toward the village, and headed south.

Chapter 17: Requiem

“And how’s our lovely patient feeling today?” asked Jacinda.

“Still pregnant,” Bianca said, sitting up in her bed. Though she’d only been carrying the twins for a couple of weeks, she looked like a woman who was ready to pop.

“That’s good.” Jacinda lay her ear on Bianca’s stomach.

“Is it?”

Jacinda put her hand on Bianca’s and took an air of seriousness.

“Yes, honey, it is.” Bianca’s ‘doctor’ raised back up. “Good heartbeats. Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?”

“I feel as well as I did when you asked me earlier. No, I don’t need anything. I’d like to feel useful, though. The only thing you guys let me do out of this bed, is walk around. Even then, I can’t walk very far.”

“Well, that’s because you’re on an island, silly.”

Bianca rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m just trying to lighten the conversation.”

“Is anyone gonna even let me out of here to go to the wedding?”

“Yes, of course. Anything to change the topic of conversation around here from that other sham of a wedding.”

“What other wedding?” asked Bianca, eyebrows furrowed.

“Oh, shit,” Jacinda whispered. “I—“

“What? What other wedding? Jacinda, tell me,” Bianca demanded.

Jacinda fidgeted with the cap to prenatal vitamin bottle. Her hands visibly shook.

“Damn.” She slammed the pill bottle down on the dresser, cap still on. “Damn.”

“Please,” said Bianca. “Is it Nicholas?”

Jacinda shook her head, then turned around to face her friend.

“Jamie and Serinda got married.”

“Oh, my God. Oh, my—,” Bianca threw her hand to her mouth, but it made no difference. By the time she finished vomiting, her bed was soaked, and so was she.

“Fuck,” Jacinda said. “I’ll get some towels. I’m so sorry.”

Jacinda ran out and returned a moment later with clean towels, LillyAnna, and Landon.

Suddenly, everyone stopped what they were doing when Bianca let out a low growl. Her eyes turned red, and her appendages began to contort and grow.

“Shit!” yelled LillyAnna. “She’s shifting. She’s gonna kill the babies!”

“Jacinda, go get Bijan,” Landon said.

The teen girl raced out of the tent as Bianca face elongated, forming a snout. Her claws extended, and fur began sprouting all over her body.

“Grab her!” said Bijan, running into the room, followed closely by Jacinda. “Hold her down!”

Bianca thrashed about, her arms and legs flailing and hitting her friends who sped frantically around her room, trying to find a good position where they could help stabilize her.

“It’s like she’s possessed,” said Landon.

“She is,” LillyAnna said. “With anger.”

“Everyone stop talking, and focus. If we don’t calm her down, right now, the babies are doomed. We only have seconds left.”

LillyAnna and Jacinda, each grabbed an arm, while Landon held down Bianca’s legs. The pregnant werewolf’s bestial screams echoed out of the room. Bijan held her head in his hands.

“Hush, Bianca,” he said. “Sshhh. Hush now.”

Bianca continued her shift, her stomach beginning to grow.

“I’m sorry,” Bijan said. “Please forgive me, Bianca.”

Removing his hands from her head, the Persian werewolf pulled his arm back and let it fly, connecting with her left cheek, knocking her out.

Almost as quickly as it began, Bianca’s shift regressed. Bijan placed his hands on her stomach as everyone waited with baited breath for the results.

Seconds ticked by until he finally spoke up.

“The babies are there—they’re okay.”

“Why did you tell her?” Landon asked, looking at Jacinda.

“Calm down, honey,” LillyAnna said. “She obviously didn’t mean to. It was a matter of time, anyway. There’s no way we were going to keep something like that secret forever, and we were foolish to even try in the first place.”

“Why?” asked Bianca, still half unconscious. “Why would he marry her? Why would she do this to me? Her own sister?”

“Keep her calm when she wakes,” said Bijan, leaving the room, “and keep an eye on the babies.”

“Hey,” said Catalina, bursting in. “What’s going on in here. I saw the commotion, and…oh, wow, what happened?”

“Bianca knows,” Landon said, throwing his hands in the air. “She knows about Jamie and Serinda, and we almost lost the babies.”

“Landon!” snapped LillyAnna.

“Sorry, Jacinda,” he said.

“No, I’m sorry,” she responded. “I’m so sorry, Bianca. I’m so sorry that he did that to you, and that you had to find out from my big mouth.”

Bianca began coming out of her sleep, again growing upset.

“What’s done is done,” said LillyAnna. “Bianca, honey, you have to try to calm down. Your pulse is racing.”

“Look at her, Lilly,” said Catalina. “Look how much she’s sweating and how pale she is. It’s gotta be more than her pulse.”

LillyAnna and Catalina, both put their hands and ears to Bianca’s stomach, facing each other, as if they were psychically sharing diagnoses.

“Landon,” began LillyAnna, “I need some cold washcloths. We need to get her calmed down. Fast.”

Landon raced out of the room and came back seconds later with a bucket full of cold cloths.

“A bit much,” LillyAnna said, “but I’ll take it.”

“What is it?” he asked. “What’s going on?”

“She’s sped up,” said Catalina, applying wet washcloths to Bianca’s head and neck. “The excitement and stress have decreased the amount of time she’s got until birth.”

“What does that mean? What are you saying? We’ve got a week now? What?”

LillyAnna and Catalina looked at each other, standing on either side of the pregnant werewolf.

“Two or three days at the most,” LillyAnna said. “If we’re lucky.”

“Oh, Bianca,” cried Jacinda, “please forgive me.”

“It’s not your fault,” said Catalina.

“No. It’s not,” LillyAnna followed. “It’s everyone’s fault for keeping it from her to begin with. One of us was going to blurt it out eventually. It’ll be okay, Jacinda.”

Bianca raised her hand, motioning for Jacinda to come closer.

“It’s okay,” Bianca said. “There’s nothing to forgive on your part. It’s Jamie and Serinda that need forgiving.” She turned to LillyAnna. “Are the babies okay?”

“We think so, but these births are right around the corner. I’m ordering you to bedrest. For you, and them. They’re going to come when they come, but we still want to prolong it as much as possible. Any strenuous movement on your part, even walking around the building like you’ve been doing, might be what pushes you over.

“Because you got so upset,” LillyAnna continued, “your body apparently thought you were close to shifting, so it decided to schedule these babies to enter the world sooner.”

“My back hurts so bad, already.”

“I know, baby.” LillyAnna ran her hand over Bianca’s wet hair, tangled hair. “But, I can’t have you up and walking. I need you to do it.”

“I’m gonna miss the wedding,” Bianca said, closing her eyes from exhaustion.

LillyAnna smiled. “No, you won’t. I promise.”

“Everybody, we need to give her some rest,” said Catalina. She put her hand to Jacinda’s back, rubbing gently, and led her out. LillyAnna and Landon followed close behind.