The Last Army of Man

By R A Dukes

Portals to hell have opened all across the world,

releasing demons into the human world. The demons attack

and slaughter the majority of humans, leaving only small

groups struggling to survive and looking for safe havens.

This is the story about one group that actively seeks out

humans and provides a safe haven, at a cost.

Kovik, who despises humans, with good reason,unknowingly

starts down a path that will lead to mankind's salvation,

or final destruction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483580463

Book preview

20

I know you hate humans as much as I do, but we can’t let the demons slaughter them. We need the blood.

You lead the patrol, Kovik, do what you like.

If we don’t try to save them, and the hive master finds out, he’ll take my head. I’d rather die fighting demons.

Maybe if you save them, he’ll forgive you for turning me.

Kovik crouched on a fallen concrete wall. He rubbed his hand over his cropped brown hair to knock the ashes off. Standing, he glanced at the hazy ball of light in the sky and remembered how he used to fear it. Burning in the sun was the most painful death a vampire could face. Even under a noonday sun, the constant haze of ash spewed into the sky through the demon portals made it appear twilight. The demon arrival had been a blessing and a curse for vampire kind.

I doubt he’ll ever forgive me for that, but I would do the same again. As soon as the other three return, we move out. Kovik smiled, and there was a hard glint in his green eyes. The old scar running from his right eye down his cheek bulged as the corners of his mouth curled. Turning new vampires is expressly forbidden to anyone but the hive leader, so Kovik had learned his lesson the hard way and taken his punishment.

There was only one greater rule in this new world: never kill a human. It was punishable by immediate death.

Alinia spoke in a soft whisper and her dark brown eyes filled with sadness. You should have let me die, Kovik. I was just a beaten whore. I wanted to die.

I watched those men drag you from the trunk and beat you to near death. I stopped caring what humans do to each other long ago, so I would have let you die. It was what the gunman said that triggered something in me.

I’m sending you to the master now, bitch. It’s what all your kind deserves. The words of the gunman, the last words she had heard before dying, echoed through Alinia’s head and brought up painful images.

She had been violently kidnapped at nineteen by human traffickers and sold into a life of pleasuring men. They kept her half starved and beat her with padded gloves to keep her in line but not damage the merchandise. For nine long years, she was imprisoned and used in unthinkable ways. When they deemed her too old to give pleasure and not worth feeding, she was gagged and bound, thrown into the trunk of a car, and driven to an abandoned warehouse. They beat her nearly to death for fun and then shot her three times.

I thought you brought me back just to use me like everyone else, but you’ve never tried to touch me that way. Alinia looked at him with a question in her eyes.

Kovik grunted, then suddenly he shifted his left leg back into a ready stance. He slipped his hand inside his long black coat to grip the hilt of his sword. He tilted his head as if listening for something.

What is it? asked Alinia. She moved to stand a few feet behind Kovik. Crouched low, she reached behind her head to grip the katana on her back and had it half drawn. She flicked her head to swish her long black pony tail to the side so it would not interfere when she needed her weapon. Her pouty lips were set in a firm line and her little nose was twitching.

Kovik listened for a few moments. Eventually, with a sigh, he returned to his casual stance and readjusted his coat over his T-shirt and cargo pants.

I can hear that idiot coming from a mile away, he said with disgust.

Reegan? Yes, he’s going to be a problem if we try sneaking up on the demons. She let her sword drop back into place as she too relaxed her stance.

That boy will never be fit to fight or take out on patrol. He may be the communications expert but his physical coordination is nonexistent. Kovik shook his head and pursed his lips. Every member of the hive specialized in something—chemist, botanist, engineer, hydro expert, and so on. Kovik was the soldier. With twenty years of combat experience under his belt, he trained everyone for combat and patrols—at least that was what he believed.

As they waited for the others to return, an afterthought struck Kovik when he looked over at Alinia and saw her face set in a grimace.

Kovik put a gentle hand on her shoulder. I’m sorry I brought up the past, he said.

Alinia was the only other vampire with whom Kovik could be himself. The others of the hive seemed too out of touch with their human emotions, their pea brains power-tripped on the benefits that being turned had given them. They shunned her, and he felt responsible for her.

Alinia looked into his eyes and gave him a brisk nod. The others are returning.

Pulling away his hand, Kovik turned back toward the rubble of the city. He stood like a statue with his hands overlapped in front of him. Moments later, three men approached them from three different directions and walked toward Kovik.

When the men were close enough, Kovik spoke in a low voice: Report.

Talosh was the oldest of the trio, or at least he looked it with his matted gray hair and hard-lined face. He was good at assessing situations and suggesting tactics; a grizzled vet who was handy in a fight. He was blunt and inappropriate at times, but that made him more likeable.

Talosh kept his voice low, knowing the danger could be closer by now. Reegan and Vanon found nothing in the eastern or western areas, but I found the demons stalking the humans about a mile off to the south. A few are in their human forms, playing the part to try to get into a compound the humans have set up. It’s a good defensive position and there seems to be a fair bit of them, but we should move soon or we risk losing them.

Reegan stepped out from behind Talosh. Humans! Are you kidding? We haven’t found any humans in six months! He was young and a loudmouth, and it was his first time out on a real patrol. He had a muscular build, and a mop of blonde hair hung over his forehead. The hive always stuck Kovik with the rookies, so he could assess them in the field.

Keep your voice down, Kovik said in a dangerous tone.

This is awesome! We’ll be heroes! Reegan said, grinning.

In the blink of an eye, Kovik drew out his katana and rested the edge of the sword against Reegan’s neck, cutting into his skin enough to draw blood.

In a harsh whisper he said, Reegan, I ordered you to keep your voice down. If you can’t obey orders, I will kill you now. Nod if you understand me.

But I… Reegan began to reply.

In a blur of motion Kovik turned his blade up, smashed Reegan in the mouth, then guided him to drop quietly to the ground. Kovik knelt on Reegan’s chest with the sword to the boy’s throat.

Eyes blazing with anger, Kovik bent close and whispered in Reegan’s ear: I lead this patrol. You shut your mouth and do what you’re told and you may live through this day. Do not speak. Nod if you understand.

Reegan’s eyes had gone wide with shock. Now that he understood the situation, he gave the slightest of nods.

Good. My suggestion is that you remain here while we go kill the demons and rescue the humans, said Kovik as he stood and sheathed his sword.

Sir, please let me come. I’ll obey every order. I want to be in on the rescue and awarded a feeder of my own. Please. Reegan spoke in a whisper this time, wiping his mouth as he got up.

"If you accompany us, you will walk directly behind me. If I hear one noise from you, and I mean any noise at all, I will take your head off. I do not like you, and I will take pleasure in killing you. Kovik leaned in close to stress his point. Do I make myself clear?"

Reegan nodded with a smile. Yes, sir.

Kovik walked back over to the fallen concrete wall to calm himself and focus on the encounter to come.

Alinia stood near him with the slightest smirk on her face. I have watched you do that at least five times. Most younglings get the hint after you draw your weapon. That’s the first time you had to take it further. You may be right about him.

Eyes forward, Kovik sniffed the breeze and replied, They don’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation. It’s my job to make it clear to them.

And you seem to enjoy it, she said, with a hint of humor.

Kovik turned to Alinia with a grim smile. Sometimes.

Talosh came over to ask, Orders, sir?

Kovik jumped down from the wall and grinned at Talosh. Let’s go kill some fuckin’ demons.

Talosh flashed back a toothy grin as he motioned to the others. Move out! he commanded.

The group of five vampires set out walking toward the south, Talosh in the lead, Kovik behind him, Reegan after that, and Alinia and Vanon bringing up the rear. Everyone moved in complete silence. Kovik felt relief to see that Reegan had learned his lesson. With so few vampires, it would have been a shame to kill him, and perhaps there was hope for the young man yet.

The smell of human blood grew stronger as they came closer to the human compound, and it sent shivers through Kovik’s body. His muscles tensing for a pounce, it took all of his self-control to stave off the hunger for blood and stay focused on the mission to save the humans. He saw the others in the group sniffing the air and licking their lips.

Kovik stopped and glared at them. Control yourselves. Our survival depends on it.

He waited until they all refocused and gave him nods of readiness before they continued.

A few minutes later they found the humans.

Kovik motioned to stop, then crouched behind a building wall and watched. There were four guards posted in front of a building that the humans had fortified. They held short spears, which appeared to be sharpened hockey sticks. On the street in the distance, he counted six pairs of humans making their way back toward the fortress, bags slung over their shoulders.

At first glance, there was something odd about the people carrying the bags. Every one of them seemed to be in their fifties or sixties. A quick inspection, using a soldier’s logic, told him a different story: they were the most expendable. Why risk the young or strong? Save them for the fighting. Whoever was running this group of survivors was not an idiot. It was good to know.

One particular pair stood out from the rest. They were the only group of two men, and they shuffled along behind an old man and woman. Their clothes and faces were covered with dirt and grime, so their features were hard to make out clearly.

The guards at the front of the fortress had noticed them as well. One of the guards motioned to the three others to follow. He lowered his spear and yelled, You two there, stop where you are!

The two dirty men continued with their heads down as if not hearing the command.

The guard shouted louder and took a few steps forward, pointing toward them with his spear. I said, you there. Stop!

The two men stopped and exchanged looks.

I guess we’re busted. The larger man said as he tossed his shoulder bag and laughed. In two quick steps he darted forward and seized the old woman by the neck with one hand, lifting her feet from the ground as if she were weightless.

The woman shrieked and flailed her legs as she tried to grab the hand around her neck.

Stop your screaming, bitch! The man holding her stopped laughing and his face contorted into a snarl of anger. He lifted her high above his head then twisted her sideways and smashed her head straight down into the ground. Her head smashed open with a distinct crack and her body went limp. The demon straightened and barked a harsh laugh.

The guard at the fortress gate shouted, Everyone in now! All men ready arms!

Kovik took in the situation at a glance and laid out the attack plan to the others.

"Okay, it’s time. Remember, they are vulnerable to our weapons only in the neck area and behind their knees. Try to take out their knees first to disable them, then take off their heads. Watch out for the black fire inside them—it burns like hell. Reegan and Alinia, circle right. Talosh, you take Vanon and circle left. I will give you twenty seconds. When I walk out on the street and distract them, strike from behind. Do not harm the humans. Go."

The groups split off in separate directions. Kovik started counting and turned back to see what was happening on the street.

A lot of shouting came from the guards as six more young men, armed with homemade short spears, ran out the entrance to the fortress..

Out on the street, the male companion of the dead woman gazed at the corpse with tears streaming down his face. Sorrow shoved fear aside; he turned toward the demon and fell to his knees weeping and shouting, No, please no! Bring her back!

The demon snorted as it stepped toward the old man, stooped and spit in his face. We take. We do not give. Now run, foolish old man. At least make it entertaining.

Kneeling before the demon the man straightened his spine and stared pure hatred at the demon. I will not run. I will not entertain you! You have taken the love of my life. There is nothing more painful that you can do to me. He stood defiantly and shook his fist at the demon’s face. God will return and send you all back to hell!

From between two buildings another demon stepped out. Don’t count on it. With one swing of his arm his claw severed the old man’s head and sent it flying through the air. This demon was twice the size of the humans, with a skin of scales and hard as steel. His head was large and topped with small horns. His eyes burned red, and his protruding mouth was filled with sharp teeth. His large and muscular arms ended in three fingers and a thumb to make a perfect claw for ripping out souls.

The first demon grunted as he nudged the corpse of the dead woman with his foot. A swift kick rolled the corpse onto her back and the demon dove in with his hard fingernails. With every gouge of his hands, he ripped away her clothing and tore chunks of flesh from her torso. He dug until he found her life essence buried deep within her chest. With the rib bones exposed, he dove in and crunched through the bones of her chest to drink the soul within. A few seconds later, he lifted his bloody face, spread his arms wide, and let out an inhuman roar of triumph.

The second demon ripped into the old man’s corpse with his giant claws until he could shove his muzzle in. A loud snap sounded, followed by crunching noises as the beast’s fangs broke through the bones and then sucked in the life essence.

From his hiding place at the end of the street, Kovik caught the scent of blood as it gushed from the bodies. The intense craving washed over him; he closed his eyes, inhaling the beautiful sweet aroma. It raised his senses to a frenzy. He wanted to drink it all in, the warm, ruby nectar that would sustain and strengthen him. The demons were wasting the blood, wasting the humans. Kovik wanted to rip them limb from limb for their stupidity. He gathered himself under control—his anger, his hunger, his will. He stood and whispered twenty then stepped from the shadows onto the street.

Kovik strolled into the street with as much casual arrogance as he could muster. His years of discipline kept him focused enough to ignore his instincts, which were telling him to run over and murder the humans.

When he reached the center of the street he stopped fifty feet away from the guards at the fortress. There was no point in tempting himself too much.

The guards had formed into a tight unit, with the short spears at the front and the longer spears in the second row. Kovik could tell that this was not their first time facing demons because they were not hysterical and stayed in formation. Their backs were to him, so they had not noticed him yet.

Kovik took a wide stance, bent at the knees, ready to move. He spoke in a clear crisp voice DEMONS! I call you out!

Everyone on the street froze and turned to look at Kovik.

The closest guard had shock written across his face. Holy shit, they got us surrounded! He turned his spear to point at Kovik.

Kovik looked at the guards. Loud enough for them to hear, he said, I will not harm you. Go inside where it’s safe.

The guards continued to look at him with wide eyes, mouths hanging open.

Go now! Kovik yelled.

The guards looked back and forth at each other before the obvious leader nodded his head toward the door of the fortress. They turned and ran toward the door, a few actually tripping on each other trying to get in.

The demons had ceased their gorging and turned to look at Kovik. More howls rose as two more demons burst onto the street behind them.

No emotion showed on Kovik’s face. Special Forces and Black Ops missions had put him in suicidal situations before. He knew to keep his head, but his mind was screaming: Holy shit, what did I get myself into? Combat with demons was not a regular event for the vampires. They avoided them whenever possible. But with the hive near starving for blood, the risk of death was worth the reward of life.

The large, dirty man who had taken out the woman looked at Kovik and sneered. Piss off, corpse. You’re not worth the skin that covers your hollow shell! Now get out of here or we will tear you apart for fun.

I will not be leaving. I claim the humans. You can leave now, or die. Kovik reached into his long coat and drew his sword. He pushed the tip into the ground in front of him and folded his arms across his chest.

The demon roared with laughter. We know how to kill your kind.

His face began to ripple. He clenched his fists then lifted his head and roared, and as he did his body began to grow. His clothing tore and fell in pieces to the ground. His body grew larger and taller and covered with grotesque muscles. His elongated mouth opened and closed, showing vicious fangs running with drool.

The huge demon fixed his blazing red eyes on Kovik. You want the humans? Take them if you can, you soulless piece of shit. Kill him now!

The other demon in human form had also transformed. He was not as large, but big enough to be scary. He charged toward Kovik and the demon on the other side of the big fellow charged as well.

Kovik crouched low and at the last second grabbed his katana and shot toward the demon on the right. He ducked beneath an outstretched claw, took a big step to the right, then turned and brought his katana down in a savage slash across the back of the demon’s knee. The demon howled in pain and dropped to his knees. Kovik leapt into the air and came down with his feet planted on the demon’s shoulders, his weight pushing the demon forward enough for him to bring his sword full force across the demon’s neck. The demon’s head rolled away while Kovik stood atop its back and rode it to the ground.

Black fire shot from the corpse and sizzled as it scorched the earth. Kovik’s blade was unharmed by the fire; the vampires had learned long ago to coat their weapons with resistant oils for such occasions.

Kovik could hear roars and shouting in the background. The other vampires had engaged the remaining demons. In a glance, he spotted Alinia and Reegan each attacking a demon of their own. Talosh and Vanon had engaged the big brute.

Alinia was dispatching hers using brutal and efficient tactics, with no concern for her own safety. She was always dependable in a fight.

Reegan was struggling. Kovik could see that the demon had torn open Reegan’s abdomen, and he was trying to hold his guts in until the tear mended itself. Damn idiot, thought Kovik. Now the boy would need blood, and he had to fight one-handed. But there was no time to worry about Reegan.

The second demon who had charged past