"The Hunt for Mary"
Dagon and Andrew Bennett stared at Paco Ramone. Ramone had just used his powers to end a battle between the two and a group of vampires under the control of Mary, Queen of Blood. Paco fought to keep his own gaze steady as he stared back. “We’re going after Bette,” he said again, focusing on keeping his voice level. “We’re going after her and we’re getting her back.” There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence and then Bennett started laughing. “Is he always like this?” he asked. He looked at Paco, who swallowed again as he tried to fight his fear. Bennett broke out laughing. “This child thinks he can attack me?” he asked. He leaned closer and studied the sweat breaking out on Paco’s forehead. “Come, child. Let us see who took your lover.” Bennett walked past Paco and started down the hallway to the control room. Paco looked at Dagon, who was unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile. “I might be starting to like him,” Dagon admitted. Paco responded with some unprintable thoughts in Spanish. Dagon smiled wider. “I don’t know what that means, but I don’t think I want to,” he said. Paco scowled and turned around, heading back toward the control room. Dagon followed. Bennett was already scanning the footage from the room’s security cameras. Dagon turned to Paco with a smirk forming on his face. “I thought you said someone else was here,” he said. Bennett was frowning as he studied the film. “There was,” he said. He ran the footage back to a split second before Paco had fallen to the floor. “Someone struck him.” Dagon leaned forward. “But there’s no one there. Unless…” Bennett nodded. “It was another of us.” He turned back to Paco. “Have you noticed anyone acting oddly?” Paco thought a moment. “Well, Mal was kinda cranky.” ”Take me to him,” Bennett ordered. “Quickly.” Paco led Bennett back to the stairwell. Paco stepped into the office and nearly tripped over Mal, who was still lying on the floor. “Here he is,” he announced. Bennett shoved Paco out of the way and knelt down beside Mal. He turned Mal’s head and studied his head and neck. “What do you see?” Dagon asked, kneeling beside Bennett. Bennett indicated two nearly-healed holes on Mal’s neck. “Mary,” Bennett said. He stood and began walking out. “Who’s Mary?” Paco asked. Dagon shook his head as he turned to follow Bennett. “No idea,” he admitted. “But I don’t like the way he said her name.” ”That’s not all I don’t like,” Paco muttered as he followed. “I was supposed to be having dinner with my girl, not being attacked by some creepy vampire or something.” He continued muttering as they walked into the restaurant. Bennett was standing at the head waiter’s stand, flipping through the reservation book. “Here,” Bennett said, pointing at a name. “I recognize this name.” He turned to Paco. “Can you locate this person?” Paco held his hands up. “Sorry, Spooky,” he said. “I missed the internet age.” Dagon rolled his eyes. “Let me see what I can do,” he said. “I still have access to some of the old Overseer databases. It’s possible I may turn something up there.” He returned to the office, followed by Bennett and Paco. He bent over Mal’s computer and began entering passwords. “Astounding,” Bennett breathed. “To have so much information so freely available.” “That’s nothing,” Paco said. “Run a search for hot naked –“ ”Enough,” Dagon said. He turned to Bennett. “Give me some names.” He quickly searched the databases and finally stopped. ”We have a match,” Dagon reported. Bennett leaned in and nodded. “It must be her,” Bennett said. “Come.” He turned and started toward the door, only for Paco to block his way. “Come on, Creepy,” Paco said. “Why are you so interested in this?” ”Mary was my love when we were alive,” Bennett replied coldly. “After I was changed, she begged me to do the same to her. When I complied, she changed. This accursed condition warped her. My loving Mary was gone. All that was left was a creature of pure evil that seeks to rule the living world. I have spent the centuries since attempting to atone for my wrong by stopping her.” ”Stopping her?” Dagon asked. “What if that means destroying her?” ”I have tried before,” Bennett replied. “Man,” Paco said. “Exes suck.” ”You have no idea,” Bennett said dryly. “The old St. Mary’s church,” Dagon observed. He, Bennett, and Paco were on a roof across the street from the crumbling cathedral. “The perfect place for her,” Bennett said. He closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated. “Do you feel them?” ”Yes,” Dagon whispered. He could feel the vampiric army awaiting them inside the building. “What are you two talking about?” Paco asked. “I’m just wondering why it is people like you always find the creepiest places possible to have their headquarters. Can’t you pick somewhere nice? This is California! Sure, the rent might be a little steep, but you can’t tell me that you couldn’t find something affordable!” Dagon smirked as Bennett turned to him while Paco continued ranting. “Is he always like this?” Bennett asked. “Afraid so,” Dagon replied. He turned to Paco. “Cool it,” he said. He turned back to Bennett. “What’s the plan?” Bennett stood. “We strike at dawn. They will be retreating. While I cannot be exposed to sunlight, your friend can.” ”I can as well,” Dagon said. “My powers are weakened, but I can survive.” ”Excellent,” Bennett said. “That gives us another advantage.” Bennett returned his gaze to the cathedral and his eyes narrowed. “Until the dawn.” The next morning, a utility company van pulled up in front of the church as the sun shone bright in the sky. Two workmen climbed out, opened the back, and began wrestling a large crate toward the building’s front door. ”You could help a little with this,” Paco griped. “I thought you had super strength or something.” ”What part of `my powers don’t work in daylight’ did you not understand?” Dagon shot back. “I’m doing my best here.” The griping continued as they finally arrived before the door. “We’re here,” Dagon murmured to the case. A bang from inside was the response. Dagon turned to Paco. “You’re on,” he said. “Great,” Paco said. He tried the door’s handle. “Locked,” he muttered. He focused his powers and started vibrations flowing into the lock. The aging tumblers began to crumble under the assault. Paco tried the door again a moment later. “Open,” he said. He and Dagon picked up the case and carried it inside. Paco pushed the door to behind them. Dagon waited until it was completely closed and opened the case. Bennett climbed out and looked around. “Excellent,” Bennett judged. “They are sleeping. This should be easy.” “Famous last words,” Paco griped. Dagon ignored him. “Where are they?” he asked. Bennett looked around. His eyes had easily adjusted to the dark. Only slivers of sunlight shone around the board which covered the broken windows. “This way,” Bennett finally said. He led the way further into the darkness. The three stopped before a set of closed doors. Paco looked around nervously as Bennett studied the doors. Dagon kept his eye on Bennett. “They are on the other side of these doors,” Bennett said. He turned to Dagon. “Can you feel them?” Dagon closed his eyes and concentrated. “Yes,” he finally said. “Three of them. Directly inside. They have their backs to us.” “Excellent,” Bennett said. “Man, that’s just getting freaky,” Paco said. “On three,” Bennett cautioned as he braced against one door. “One,” Dagon said as he braced on the other. “Two,” Bennett said as they started pushing. “Crap!” Paco yelled as he fired a shock wave into the door. Mary smiled as the doors to her chambers exploded inwards. “I’m surprised it took you this long, Andrew,” she said as Bennett, Dagon, and Paco entered the room. A wave of her hand kept her guards from advancing on them. “You’ve found friends,” she observed. “Yes,” Bennett said as he stepped forward. “We have come to stop you.” Mary laughed. “Impossible,” she said. “I forget myself. I have friends as well. I would like you to meet my newest friend.” Bette Kane stepped from behind Mary’s throne and knelt before her. “Go,” Mary said. Bette turned, bared her fangs, and attacked. To Be Continued... Previous Issue | Next Issue |
