Shadows of Old

She moaned in passion as his hand slowly passed along the curves of her body. He drew her closer, feeling the warmth of her body next to his as they cradled each other in the darkness of her bedroom. He could feel her heart racing with excitement as he strengthened his embrace. She called out, enraptured when he found just the right spot. She began to move faster, her breath rapid, moaning with pleasure; she was getting close. He ran his fingers through her hair as she moved beneath him on the mattress. As he lay on top of her, he could tell the time was right. Passionately, he kissed her as she clung tightly to him.

He pressed his lips against her neck as their bodies neared their climax. Baring his fangs, he plunged them deep into her neck. She screamed in pleasure as her body began to quiver underneath his. Her warm breath began to grow shallow, her heart slowing. He growled in satisfaction as he finished, her warm blood dripping from his lips. A moment later, her heart stopped altogether.

Getting up from the bed, he stared at her lifeless body as the moonlight broke through the window blinds. He regarded her with a mixture of pity and contempt before searching for his clothes. When he found them, he dressed as the euphoria coursed through him. Briefly, he turned back to her again and kissed her forehead before exiting the apartment.

Michael left the apartment building and onto the busy sidewalk. Nashville was alive that night as people barhopped along Music Row. Michael spotted a woman with long black hair and dark makeup as he viewed Music Row. She was beautiful by all accounts. Michael had just fed but believed there was room for another tonight. How fortunate my first victim lived so close by, he thought as the growing crowd went from place to place, unaware of who or what he was.

He began to walk toward Music Row, watching his next target enter a local bar with her friends. It was so easy to seduce these mortals. How easily they gave in to him. Rarely did he ever have to use his full charms to sway them. This one may be more of a challenge, Michael thought. He hoped she would be challenging. It had been so long since he had a real challenge.

A cooling wind blew briefly, rustling his hair through the crowd’s hustle on the otherwise warm spring night. Feeling full of confidence, Michael began to contemplate his next move. Lost in thought, he nearly missed the man standing at a corner building, watching him as he made his way to his destination.

The man was dressed in all black, wearing a pair of cowboy boots and holding a black stetson. His brown hair and matching beard moved in the breeze as he fixed his gaze on Michael. At first, there seemed to be nothing of note about the man, so Michael tried to ignore him. As he grew closer, the mysterious man walked toward him deliberately with a purposeful gait. Michael moved to avoid the man, but again, the stranger put himself in Michael’s way. “You got a problem, friend?” he asked as the stranger drew closer. The man gave no reply.

“Do you think this is a wise move?” Michael asked as the man was nearly close enough to touch. “You have no idea what you are doing, my friend. Why don’t you go and find yourself a beautiful young lady or man if you prefer, and let’s forget, whatever this is you are trying to prove.”

The man stopped, placed the stetson on his head, and regarded Michael with contempt. His gaze was stern, fixating on him as the odd standoff continued. “You killed her, didn’t you?” the man finally spoke in a deep, distinct southern drawl.

“Her? Who are you talking about?”

“The girl you were with tonight. You killed her, didn’t you?”

“And what if I did?”

The man laughed cynically to himself. “I thought so,” he said. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out what looked like a wallet. He opened it, revealing a silver shield-shaped badge. “Law says you can’t kill them. Seduce them, feed off them, turn one if they agree. But no killing. I guess you forgot, right? You get all hot and bothered, and it feels so good, doesn’t it? Something about tasting their blood with all those endorphins in the heat of the moment. So easy to forget, isn’t it?” The strange man took a couple of steps closer to Michael. “I get it. I do. It was hard when the council told us we couldn’t kill them anymore. It was tough to change; believe me, I know. Change is hard, isn’t it?”

“I…I don’t remember….”

“No, of course, you don’t. You weren’t around then, were you? Which means you should know better. I mean, an old timer like me, I remember how it was. I remember how tough it was to have to control myself. You younger ones, I’m sorry you’re how old?”

“Fifty-five.”

“Fifty-five, a mere babe in comparison. It must be tough. Believe me, I understand, but I’ve got to take you in. Law says you can’t kill, and you did, so you have to come with me. A few centuries locked up will cure the desire to kill.”

“And what if I refuse?”

“Hey, I get it. Not something to look forward to, I understand. The lady behind you is not so understanding.” Michael quickly looked behind him, spotting the tall brunette sporting a long, black trench coat. The stern look on her face nearly made him forget about the man standing before him. “Impressive, isn’t she? We’ve worked together for a while now, and I can assure you that she’s a master with the swords she keeps hidden underneath that coat. Me? I prefer more modern weaponry. Of course, Colt Revolvers aren’t exactly new, but the ammo sure is—bullets blessed by a priest or something like that. I don’t know. I know they’ll put you down for good, so what do you say we do this the easy way?”

Michael considered his options. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” he asked.

“My apologies. The lady there is DeLeslyn. I’m Craig. I didn’t bother looking in the vampire name registry for something fancier. So call me Craig. Now, about that surrender.”

Without a word, Michael suddenly sprinted across the street. “That went well,” DeLeslyn remarked without any expression on her face.

“Well, I guess we should go get him then,” Craig said, then began his pursuit.

Michael rounded a corner of a building a couple of blocks away. He looked around, finding no sign of his pursuers. He smiled slyly to himself, turning to go. When he did, Craig stood in his path. “You know, I can tell you’ve never done this before. I mean, really? Running? Now, does that make sense?” Michael bared his fangs and hissed. “I guess this means you won’t come quietly,” Craig said.

Michael lunged at Craig, but the elder vampire easily dodged his attack. Faster than Michael could respond, Craig slammed his fist into the side of his attacker’s head. Regaining his senses, Michael pulled out a silver knife concealed in his jacket. He swung the blade wildly at Craig, each swing coming closer. Finally, Michael lunged at Craig, which was all the opening the elder needed. Stepping to the side as Michael stabbed at him, Craig grabbed his arm, twisting it. The knife fell to the ground.

Craig wasted no time, reaching inside his coat and taking hold of one of the pistols. Summoning his strength, he brought the weapon against the back of Michael’s head. His opponent fell limp to the ground. Craig placed his foot against his fallen adversary’s back, reaching inside his coat to remove his gloves. Once he slid his hands into the gloves, he pulled a pair of restraints. “You know, I’ve heard these called silver bracelets on TV. Did you know most handcuffs aren’t actually silver? I bet you knew that, right?” Craig took his foot off of Michael’s back. Kneeling, he placed Michael’s hands behind his back. “Well, these really are. I’m afraid these will burn your skin a bit, but you’ll be fine. They will keep you from flying off,” Craig said as he finished applying the cuffs.

With his task complete, Craig stood. He removed his hat and wiped his brow. “So, you were just going to let him stab me?” Craig said as he stretched. Bending back down, he pulled Michael to his feet, forcing him against the building wall. To his left, DeLeslyn gracefully floated to the ground.

“The last time I helped you out, you told me not to interfere. You can’t have it both ways,” she responded emotionlessly.

“You know we need to work on our communication skills.”

DeLeslyn stared blankly at him, “We have worked together for a century and a half of another. We communicate just fine.”

“Yeah, it’s the sense of humor part we need to work on,” Craig said, but DeLeslyn did not respond. “Okay, fine, can we at least agree to take pretty boy here back to central?”

“That is the procedure. Advocate Garnier will be happy to hear we got this one.”

“We got him?”

“Fine, you got him. Shall we go?”

“Ladies first.”

DeLeslyn flashed him a look of disapproval. In an instant, she was gone.

Craig shook his head. Turning his attention back to Michael, he said, “She’s a great partner in reality. It’s fun pushing her buttons sometimes. Other times, well.” He saw the young vampire struggling against the handcuffs. “Uncomfortable, I know. During the training they make you wear them. You practice on each other so you know the proper technique for applying them. It also helps you understand how it feels for someone like you, actually, who has to wear them. But listen to me; I’m rambling again.” Craig placed his arm around his prisoner. “Not to worry, the ride to central is the easy part.” With that, they took to the sky.