The Damascus Chronicles (35 page)

“What should we do, sire?”

“Mobilize your best men and find them, bring me back the book, now!” commanded Reynard Desbode.

In the cavern, the group lit a torch from some old wood and searched for Jubel, who was hiding somewhere in the cave. Spying from the stalactites, Jubel jumped down from above, scooping up the book and pendant from Suki’s arms.

“Now you fools, it’s my turn to play!” snickered Jubel.

“He’s got the book,” shouted Yoshiro.

A portal began to open, releasing a host of creatures as Jubel read through the book. Michael then noticed that Jubel was standing right near the cliff’s edge, and he slowly pulled out his gun and shot at Jubel, causing him to lose balance and fall over the side. The book fell to ground, and Suki jumped and grabbed both the pendant and book, letting Jubel fall to his death. The portal closed and the cavern began to cave in from the disturbance.

“Let’s get out of here!” Serena yelled, and they teleported back to Koga and mounted the beast. Yoshiro looked back at the cave and spoke softly. “Sorry brother, but you did this to yourself.”

Back at the temple, the group dismounted and everyone shook hands and said goodbyes.

“What will you do now?” asked Yoshiro.

“Take this book back to Takai and report to our lord,” said Michael.

“Be safe, my friends,” said Yoshiro.

“What about you?” asked Marianna.

“I will continue to train the men; this war is far from over,” said Yoshiro.

“Where is Takai?” asked Darius.

“Back in the states,” said Yoshiro.

“Come, let’s go home,” said Michael to the others, and the group took their plane back to Las Vegas.

After landing in the Las Vegas Terminal, a limo came to collect the vampire team; in it were Danny Fredricks and Rocko. “So how did it go, or should we not be popping the champagne corks yet?” Danny asked.

“We got what we went for,” said Michael.

“It was too close though,” replied Serena, and the others agreed.

“So what’s the plan now?” asked Danny as he drove. “I mean, do we sit back and chill or do we make a move on these secret society assholes?”

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but aren’t you all tired? We just got back from a long mission,” said Marianna.

“Too true. I feel like my limbs are going to fall off,” said Darius.

“Amen to that. I say we forget doing anything; let’s get some damn sleep, and we can meet with Takai tomorrow night. Let’s crash at the Coven headquarters,” said Serena.

“No, we have to see my father first. He must have the book in his possession; we can’t allow anything to happen to it,” said Suki.

“Yeah, let’s get it over with already,” agreed Marianna reluctantly.

“Good,” said Suki.

“How are you doing Rocko?” asked Michael.

“Good buddy, I feel great. Happy you crazies got back; if anything bad had happened I wouldn’t have my drinking buddy to kick around with,” said Rocko.

They all laughed as they drove to the Oriental district to meet with Lao; it was midnight when the car rolled in at the dojo. They pulled the doors open to see Takai sitting in the room reading a book. He was sitting Indian-style with a big pot of hot tea at his side, leisurely puffing at his pipe. “I thought you would be back here sooner,” said Lao Takai without raising his face from the book.

“Lao cut us a break! We just got you back the damn book and you can’t even say thank you!” yelled Michael.

Lao lowered his book and a smile slowly spread across his face. “I am proud of you all; you have proven to be great warriors.” He rose and bowed in respect to them.

“So what do you think will happen now with the Dark Society?” asked Suki.

“What else? They will come looking for us. We must leave here and go to the Coven for safety. Julius would never turn us away,” said Lao. “Too bad Yoshiro did not come with you, I wish I could have spent some time with him.”

“But I did,” said a strange figure who uncloaked himself from a portal out of the shadows.

“What the hell!” Danny exclaimed. “Sorry, I could not resist coming with you,” said Yoshiro, looking human again.

A call came in. It was from Kat, who had been released from the hospital and was back at work. “Thanks for having the doctors take care of me,” said Kat gratefully. She was scanning the computer screens in her new apartment that Michael had paid for.

“No problem, kid, glad to hear you’re better. Now how are we coming with the info on Frank Scarfo and his crew?”

“Not great. I’m hacking telephone data but I haven’t been able to trace any important calls by the guy. I am doing everything I can. Why don’t you talk to Danny and see if he has anything on his end?”

“Keep trying, and thanks kid, I appreciate it, I’ll pay you back for this. It may take me some time though,” replied Michael.

“No problem,” said Kat as she continued to type away at her computer.

“Damn it,” said Michael as he hung up his cell phone.

“What’s wrong?” asked Serena, who was looking out the window as they stood in Julius’ office waiting to speak with him.

“It’s been too quiet out there. I know Franco Scarfo is up to something,” said Michael.

“You think he and his crew are planning to make a move?”

“Positive, although there’s no word on the street, no movement on the news, no nothing.”

“You worry too much. We can handle anything,” said Serena.

“I don’t like it. I wish we could tell this prick to go fuck himself,” said Michael.

“Relax,” said Serena.

“Don’t be overconfident Serena; we have the odds against us in this war. We can hold down the fort but we have to hit pay dirt soon. Otherwise it may become too late.”

Julius came in the room to speak with them. “Congratulations on your mission, my son,” said Julius proudly.

“It wasn’t easy old man,” replied Michael, still tired.

“Of course it wasn’t; that was the point. I made it hard to see what you were made of and you passed the test with flying colors. It’s official: you’re now a member of this Coven. All who join us become one blood, one family,” said Julius as he placed the ring of the Zoratus clan on Michael’s finger.

“Thank you,” said Michael solemnly.

“You earned it,” smiled Julius.

“Grandfather, Michael’s concerned,” interrupted Serena.

“I know what is troubling you. We have sent our spies into the city to gather information on the current movements of the Dark Society’s organization and on your Frank Scarfo,” said Julius.

“How do you feel, grandfather?”

“Fine. I may be ancient but I’m not gone yet. I can still fight another day,” said Julius confidently after drinking some rejuvenation elixir in small vile he kept.

“I’m going to call Danny; perhaps he has found something,” said Michael.

“Good, you do that my boy,” said Julius. Michael punched up Danny’s number, nervous as he waited for someone to pick up. “Yeah, it’s me Danny. What do you got?” asked Michael impatiently.

“I got something. Rumors are that the crime bosses are having a gathering somewhere tonight at midnight, but I don’t know where it is.”

“At least we know something’s going on now,” said Michael. “Thanks Danny. I’ll search the city.”

“Are you forgetting that the cops have it in for us?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Okay buddy, but be careful,” cautioned Danny.

Michael set out to search all of Sin City, from the rundown alleys to the glitzy casinos, along with the warehouses and industrial areas, but he found nothing. Serena, Darius, Marianna and Scarlet also did their parts, but couldn’t find anything either.

Then, in The Caligula Club on the strip, a local punk named Kage Rusoff, who ran the boxing rackets, caught Michaels’ attention. Kage was a former con man, a recently turned vampire and a runner who worked for the Russian mob. He was tough and muscular with a few scars on his body and a shaved head; he looked like he was around thirty years old. He was dressed in black leather pants and a black muscle shirt. Michael knew he was always looking to help a person for the right price. “Kage! Well, well, it’s been awhile,” said Michael.

“Get lost Moschenniki,” said Kage, looking angry as he tried to drink his cocktail in peace. Michael moved closer. “I’m looking for information,” said Michael.

“You know the deal, you pay me, or you don’t play,” said Kage.

“Fine, here’s five yards,” said Michael as he greased the prick. “Now we can do business, or as you Italians say, “make marriage.” “

What or who are you looking for? I can tell you need something,” said Kage.

“Word on the street is that there’s a meeting somewhere going down tonight between the various crime bosses,” said Michael.

“You want to know where?” asked Kage.

“Yeah,” said Michael.

“At the old bottling plant down on Marigold Lane. It’s been closed for years. Watch yourself; some of the city’s most dangerous crews will be there. I’d carry a couple of pieces and taking some back up, if I were you,” said Kage.

“Thanks,” said Michael. “I’m surprised you don’t care about this for your boss Cravenoff.”

“Fuck him; he doesn’t pay me good enough.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Yawl come back now, you hear, when you need something. I’ll be waiting, comrade,” said Kage as he finished his drink.

Michael took off on his motorcycle to the old bottling plant. It was midnight and the meeting had just begun. Against his better judgment, Michael went on alone, only intending to spy on his opponents, not attack them.

The bottling plant was about 20 miles out, on the rundown side of town. It was an old dump that had more rats and bugs than the crews that were meeting there. “I’d better watch myself,” thought Michael as he made a pit stop at his weapons loft to pick up a couple of pistols and a grappling hook. He knew Serena was on the other side of town worried about him, but Michael had to be strong and hang in there.

After arriving at the abandoned bottling plant, Michael hooked himself up and crept onto the loft rooftop. As he snuck in the skylight, he stood silently in a dark corner and listened to what was being said.

“I don’t care what’s happening out there. The time has come, gentlemen, for us to make decisions on the current situation with the Santerinis,” said Cravenoff as he sat among his fellow Russians.

“They have walked all over us for too long homies,” said Sanchez from the Mexican crew.

“So it’s time to snuff them out. Then we’re all in agreement,” said Tye from the Chinese crew.

“The Society wants them iced, so let’s take them down; those fuckers have had this city in their hands for too long,” said Sanchez.

“Cravenoff, how do you propose we do it?” asked Tye.

“You know how. Set them up,” said Cravenoff.

“We’ll make the call and say we’re going to have a truce, make them feel nice and friendly. Then when we got them cold, boom, dead as dead,” said Tye.

“I have a better solution,” interjected Franco Scarfo.

“Oh now the mighty bastard of Sicily has advice for us,” said Cravenoff.

“Shut the fuck up, Sov!” said Franco as he flashed his pistol, taking aim at Cravenoff’s head. Guns were sighted everywhere and no one flinched.

“Hold it, let’s hear what he has to say,” said Tye, calling off the exchange of guns.

“I say fuck this truce shit. Let’s just hit them hard in the wallet; nothing better to break a man than by taking his money,” said Franco.

Putting down his gun, Tye agreed. “Make them look like fools and stamp them out, it’s perfect, no one will ever want to do business with them again. That’ll kill them.”

“Now listen, you hot-headed fucks, I got two shipment trains coming in tonight from LA. We’ll blow the train yard storehouse and the old airbase that the Santerinis own; a lot of their goods are stored there,” said Franco.

“What about those bloodsucking bitches that have sided with them?” asked Sanchez.

“The Society has something extra special planned for them. Fuck them, don’t worry, that’s covered,” said Franco.

Michael was furious. He wanted to kill them all, but he knew that there were fifty of them and only one of him. Instead, he crept out of the building and sped off on his bike to inform the Coven and the Santerinis. He was worried; a hit to the train shipping yard and abandoned airbase would mean big losses; most of the family’s money came from mass illegal distribution of drugs and other goods. “This is real bad, how the hell did they he find out about the base and train yard! Mother sweet fucking rosemary!” thought Michael.