Bloods and Vamps

By W. H. Beswick

The world is not a dark place where vampires rule the world. Humans are used as slaves and food. No longer hunting for victims the vampires had gotten lazy and lost many of their powers.
One night three young vampires are staked and a former police detective is told to find the killer. But as the murders become more brutal he suspect they are dealing with serial killer. Worst the trail is leading to Lady Gwen. One of the few vampire who has not only kept her powers but has love for this new world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. H. Beswick
• Release date: Mar 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476154503

W. H. Beswick

Lives in Corvallis Oregon

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

FIRST BLOOD

I smelled them before I saw them. That old, rotten smell. A mixture of sweat, dirt and that cheap cologne that some used. It was just another feeble attempt to cover up their stench. That’s the vamps on this side of town. Vamps elsewhere will bathe and use a better stuff to cover their body odor. I had been standing here for almost an hour, watching the full moon rise over the dark city. It was bright orange and seemed to fill the whole sky. I read somewhere that is was called a Hunter’s Moon. As I waited, I thought back over the last two years. Two years of training had had brought me to this night. Before the training had been the months of waiting on the old man, and before that the farm.

I don’t like to think about the farm.

But while I was there, I could tell I was different. I was superior in every way to the farmers. I was smart enough to know how to play dumb. I knew I was waiting for something. The moment I saw the old man, I knew he was the one. I played him up right, and sure enough he took me home.

At first, he taught to me clean and cook – worse, he made me sleep by him. I played along. My patience paid off; the old fool started teaching me to read. He laughed the first time I read a whole sentence, not telling him I had read the whole page with one glance. If I told you how fast I could read, you would have called me a liar.

But I am not. I hate liars. So I am not one.

I started to sneak into the library while he was sleeping. It was hard at first, because I didn’t know a lot of the big words, but in time my reading improved. Soon I was able to read the bigger books.It was from these books I learned about the world we lived in, and how screwed up it was. But more importantly, I learned about the powers that ran it and their weaknesses.It was during these quiet times I started to make a plan for my life.

That’s one thing I learned from the old man. You got to have a plan.

While exploring the large house, I found the TV room and workout room. The workout room had weights and stuff. It didn’t take me long to figure how to use them. I was surprised how fast my body developed muscles.In the TV room, I watched all the actions films, especially the martial arts ones. I started to mimic fighting techniques of the stars.Not to brag, but I got to be pretty good.

I hadn’t been with the old man three months when I decided it was time for a change. To be honest, he was starting to ask questions about what I was doing while he slept. I was able to put him off for a while, but I knew in time I would have to deal with him. Then one day he forced the issue by announcing he was sending me back to the farm. I had no choice. By time the sun rose the next day, the house was mine.

The guy was a recluse and had no friends or family, so he wasn’t missed. So there would be no more interruptions with my training. I used his car to teach myself to drive. It was pretty banged up by the time I was done. There was an old lathe in the garage, along with some other tools. I used them to make the things I would need when I left.

With the old man out of the way, I was able to sneak into town and find more gear, including the leather duster I was wearing. I found it in a Western shop, along with some boots and black jeans. The tee shirt came from old record shop.It was black and had blood red words printed across the front: DEATH WALKS AMONG US.

I liked that.

I stayed another year at the house training, making some alterations to the coat and making things I would need. One morning I woke up and knew it was time. I packed my gear and walked to town. I found a hot-looking car called a Mustang and used it to leave the only place I had ever called home.

I wouldn’t miss it.

I came to the big city, and it was all I hoped it would be. The streets were dark and deserted. Perfect for what I had planned. The best part was, during the day, I was free to do what I wanted.I spent a week looking for a place to live and stocking it with food and gear. I found this place a week later, but I didn’t make my move. It was another month of scouting and setting some things up. I was waiting for the night of the Hunter’s Moon. It seemed right.

After the smell came the sound of their laughter. The laughter stopped when they saw me.I listened to them talk and the glass doors being pushed open. The sound of their heavy boots on the tile floor mixed with their voices filled the room. I closed my eyes as I reached into my duster and wrapped my fingers around the wood. I was in a perfect place. A place I had imagined for the last two years. I could hear my heart beating, sending hot blood through my body, telling me I was alive.

BLOOD! one yelled. What you doing here all alone!

I ignored his words and waited.

In this part of town, Bloods aren’t allowed to be alone. There is a punishment for that. Blood I am talking to you!

I remained silent, still in my special place, and started to take deep breaths. I felt his hand on my shoulder and gripped the wood tighter. I let him spin me around, and as he did I pulled the stake from the pocket inside my jacket. As I came face to face with him, I saw he was a young punk, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket. His hair was spiked and dyed green. A look of triumph filled his eyes as he looked into my face. I brought the wooden stake up and plunged it right into his chest. I felt the wood go through his bones and right into his heart. Shock and horror filled his face as he staggered back. Then he dropped to the floor and died. It was everything I hoped for. The pleasure filling my body was beyond words. I savored the moment as I pulled out two more stakes.

The other two punks just stood there like statues.I stepped up and drove both stakes into their hearts at the same time. Their screams added to my emotional bliss.

I stood over the three bodies for a long time, reliving the kills in my head. I wanted to remember every detail.Finally, the ecstasy passed, and my heartbeat returned to normal.

I pulled the paintbrush from my pocket, knelt down, and dipped it into the spreading blood pool, thinking, They had a lot more blood inside than I imagined. I smiled as walked to the mirror mounted on the wall and left my message.I turned back to enjoy the sight of my kills and then walked out into the night already thinking about my next.

CHAPTER TWO

THE CHIEF INSPECTOR

Chief Inspector Scott Steiner gripped the wheel of his car as he spun around another curve in the road.He muttered a curse as his car fishtailed, sending gravel over the edge of the road. The young lawman lifted up his foot and let the speed drop, deciding that crashing the car would do him no good. He hadn’t realized how far back in the hills this bitch lived. The road was like a snake, twisting and turning up the mountain. The trees closing around the road like a black curtain only made the drive worse. The headlights barely lit the road ahead. The Chief Inspector had gotten in the habit of looking up at the sky, thankful there was a full moon to give him some light. He slammed on the brakes when two huge, iron gates came into view. He leaned forward and stared at the open gates. The cop had expected them to be closed and locked, but here they were, wide open. He ran his tongue over his lips and debated his options. He had come too far to turn back now. The Chief Inspector pushed down the gas pedal and moved through the gates. As he ascended the winding driveway, the house came into view.

No. Not a house…

It looked like something out of one of those old movies, a huge castle, made of gray stones. There were two towers at each end of the massive structure, complete with turrets. Four stained glass windows ran along the front of the building. The only way in seemed to be two massive oak doors with big iron rings bolted in the middle. Two winged dragons of black marble stood guard at the bottom of the white stone staircase that ran up to the entrance.

The Chief Inspector climbed out of his car and adjusted the red vest of his tuxedo. He tugged on his bowtie and then put on the cape, making sure the red lining was on the inside. The dark-haired man found the rest of his courage and climbed the stairs to the huge doors. Steiner stopped and looked back.

Nothing.

He had planned on shoving both doors open and storming, but the doors were too heavy for his dramatic entrance. He had to use his shoulder to push one open. He walked into a foyer - but was stopped by what he saw.

The entrance was made completely of white marble, streaked with red that almost looked like veins of blood. The only furniture was a round table made of black marble. A tall, thin, white vase filled with black roses sat upon it. A large boutique of lilies in a huge red vase sat on the floor in front of a huge painting on the far wall.

Scott Steiner walked up to the painting and stared, not at its size but at the three subjects.A handsome man, dressed in formal eveningwear, sat on a sofa. His skin was pale, and his eyes were as dark as his hair. Two stunningly beautiful women sat beside him with their arms draped over his shoulders. One had long, fire-red curls that fell to her waist, while the other woman was just as beautiful, except her hair was blonde, silky waves reaching past her waist. Their voluptuous bodies were wrapped in sheer white silk gowns that could have been a second skin.

The Dark Lord and his Ladies, the policeman muttered as he stared at the painting. It was only a picture, but he could almost feel the power of the man. He stepped back and debated what to do next. He had come up here with a plan. It had all been so clear. Now his thoughts were muddled. The word leave came to mind.

You have come to this house uninvited.You should go now.

Chief Inspector Steiner whirled around, spotting who was talking, and was immediately angry with himself for showing fear to a Blood.

A short but thin man stood atop some stairs that led up to two doors. He was dressed in the classic uniform of a butler, complete with gold vest and tailed flock coat. His bald head and pale skin made him wonder if he still had any warm blood inside his veins. The Butler began to slowly walk down the steps, hands clasped behind him.

You better learn your place, Chief Inspector Steiner snapped as he walked to the bottom of the staircase. As he moved closer, he realized this was no Blood. This butler might be older than him.

I am Chief Inspector Steiner; I am here to see the lady of the house. Call her down.

My mistress never sees anyone unless they are summoned. The Butler smiled, revealing his fangs. And all visitors must first see me.

Summoned? He stammered when he realized his mistake.

She is the Dark Lady, Mistress of the Night, Queen of the underworld. I don’t recall anyone coming to her home unless summoned.

Call the bitch down….now! Steiner said, regretting using the word immediately after it left his lips. It was like word just popped into his mouth. Suddenly, he wanted to leave as quickly as possible while saving some face.

Bitch? My, you really are a fool.

You tell her… he said, his voice sounding almost childlike. He could see the foolishness but couldn’t stop the words from coming out. I know about her little project. I think the council would be very interested in what she has been up to. Not to mention how many laws she has broken. I don’t think she would enjoy a cell. Call her down.

And who is going to put her in that cell? You? My mistress is above your laws. She is a law unto herself.

I am the law… he said, stepping back when the butler’s eyes seemed to glow.

Do you really think the council is unaware of my Lady’s power? I suspect they told you be tactful in your investigation. You foolishly ignored their orders, thinking you had found something to further your career…or did you have something loftier in mind? Did you really think that you could make yourself the Dark Lord?

The Chief Inspector was suddenly afraid. As the butlers eyes did glow, his fangs seemed to be growing. His plan to blackmail the lady into being his lover did now seem all too foolish.

You really should have told someone you were coming up here.

Steiner’s fear took over, and he ran. He felt so incredibly stupid with his cape flapping behind him. The doors were now only ajar, and he was forced to squeeze out through the small space. His tux was ripped in several places as he pulled himself free. The Chief Inspector rushed down the stairs, slipped, and tumbled down to the bottom step. On his hands and knees, he looked up. His car had not only been flipped over but the tires slashed. He frantically looked around and then ran down the driveway. His dress shoes made him slip on the slick pavement, making him fall onto his face. The lawman swore as he scrambled to his feet and ran into the darkness. Too late, Steiner realized he was running across the lawn. The Chief Inspector glanced back at the house and saw the doors fly open. He swallowed his scream as he increased his speed, turning back toward the road.

Suddenly something hit him from behind, sending him flying down a hillside. The cop grunted as he tumbled down the hill, landing in pile of wet leaves. Steiner swore as he climbed to his feet, brushing off the muck from his clothes. A loud scream made him forget about his clothes. He pushed his way through the trees, the branches tearing at his clothes as he did. His cape got caught and yanked him to the ground, landing him in a small pool of water. He fumbled with his cape, trying to get free. He managed to pull it off, but not without tearing some buttons off his shirt. He splashed out of the water and down a narrow path. The branches lashed across his face as he ran. A piercing screech made the policeman stop in a clearing and look around. Steiner heard the wings before he saw them. He spun around just in time to see two huge, red eyes come out the darkness. The Chief Inspector screamed as the steel-like claws dug into his chest. A second later, razor-like talons ripped his heart out. As he dropped to the ground, Chief Inspector Scott Steiner was thinking, So, this is dying.

The butler stood by the open doors, bowing as his mistress came in, dropping her blood-stained dress at his feet.The servant didn’t dare look at her naked body as she passed and went up the stairs.

I am going to the village. I want the mess in the forest cleaned up, and get that piece of junk off my driveway.

"Consider it done, my Lady.

CHAPTER THREE

THE DETECTIVE

Detective Albert Kravan lay in the bed staring at nothing but the darkness. He had woken up hours ago but couldn’t find the energy to get up. He let off a long sigh - more of a groan, coming from his empty lungs. He rang his long fingers through his close-cropped, salt-and-pepper hair. He felt his young lover roll over and debated whether he was in the mood. Albert turned and studied the slender figure, her firm, round bottom and long legs. Her long, black hair tumbled down over her shoulders, making her skin look quite pale. Kravan listened to her breathing. He closed his eyes and strained to hear her heartbeat. Strong and steady. There was been a time when he could hear a heartbeat from across the room. His own beat much slower, just enough to keep the blood inside flowing at a very slow but steady pace. Unlike his lover, his blood had to be replaced on a daily basis. He reached out and rubbed her hip, enjoying the feel of her warm flesh.

Five minutes, babe, the young woman muttered as she felt around for the sheets and pulled them up over her shoulders.

Kravan smiled to himself. She was cold. He was always cold, except for when he’d just fed. His flesh warmed, but only for a few seconds. He pushed himself up and wandered around the room, stopping in front of the mirror. He studied his reflection, noticing his face was rounder than it used to be. A little spare tire had formed around his waist.

How was that possible?

Did blood have calories?

Aside from this he looked pretty good for someone his age. His age? How old was he now? Well past three hundred, at least. He moved his face closer to the mirror and studied his chin. He hadn’t need to shave. He used to have a heavy beard. Interesting, his hair grew, but his beard didn’t. As he studied his face a small voice in his head said, Isn’t odd you can see yourself?

The detective walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water get blazing hot. He watched the steam billow up and then stepped into the shower. He stood under the spray, enjoying the feel of the hot water washing over his cold flesh. He stood under the water until it began to turn warm.

Don’t take all the hot again! his lover yelled.

Sorry, he said, more to himself than to her as he turned off the water and toweled off. He dressed in a blue pinstripe and a light blue shirt with French cuffs. He picked the black onyx cufflinks and his red tie, the one with the dancing Hula Girl at the bottom. As he slipped his feet into his black Wingtips, he watched his lover stumble into the shower. He ran his thumbs up and down the red and black suspenders before putting on his double-breasted jacket.

Are you going to be gone long? she called out from the shower.

I don’t have to go in at all. The detective said as he picked up his black fedora and tried it on. I just got a couple cases. Some Bloods ran off…nothing big. Why? You want to do something?

I need to go shopping for underwear, his lover said as she came out the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her slender body. You know bras, panties, garter belts, and other sexy stuff.I know you like to give me your opinion on such things.

You know you look good in anything. Albert smiled as he thought about taking her back to bed.

Or we could got back to bed, she giggled, dropping the towel.

Albert Kravan started to cross the room when a loud ringing not only stopped him but also made him afraid. He stared at the black phone sitting on the nightstand. His lover moved beside him and put her arm around his waist. Like him, she couldn’t remember the last time the phone had rung. The detective gave her a quick kiss and walked over to the phone. Very few people had his number, and he had a pretty good idea who was calling. The old fears came back, like a bad bellyache. Albert was sure if he could sweat, it would be drenching his clothes. The detective did what he always had: forced down the fear. He put on the old mask to cover it, and he snatched up the phone, ready to growl at the caller, but the voice surprised him.

Detective Kravan?

Yes…Count Gorki? He recognized the voice.

Yes, the Council is in need of your talents. We have situation that is right up your alley.

I am not sure I understand, Count.

You will when you see the problem.

See the problem?

We have sent a car to pick you up and take you to…I think the correct phrase is the crime scene.

Crime scene? I don’t understand.

You will. The driver will be at your disposal for the duration of your investigation. She will also act as liaison between you and the council.

I am not to report directly to the council?

The council wants daily reports. You may not be able to meet with the council on a daily basis. You will be able to send the driver in your place.

I don’t understand, Albert said, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.

You will when you see the situation.

Will I be reporting to the Chief Inspector Steiner, too?

No, you will report to us directly. The Chief Inspector is out of town on council business. Once you have seen the scene, please come to the High Chamber.

As you wish, Count Gorki. He paused. Sir, why me?

Detective, this requires someone who can investigate. I haven’t forgotten how you helped me out on that little matter a few years back.

I will leave at once.

Excellent. I will see you in a couple of hours.

Kravan listened to the dial tone for a long moment and then hung up. He walked up to his lover and pulled her close.

We will have to shop later, he said. The council has business for me.

That’s wonderful, she said with a huge smile. This could get you out of the Blood Tracker thing.

"I like the Blood Tracker thing. I don’t trust the council. They always have several agendas. There are several other detectives they