R. Edinger: Night Kill

“Why would Nedra or Wyatt be willing to help you?” Andrew came back sharply. “What kind of hold did you have on them?”

“You mean by now you, the great detective, has not figured it out?” Vlad broke out for a few moments in a loud, boisterous laugh. He stopped once he had caught his breath, “Nedra and I met when I was younger. We were married, but later separated and soon divorced. Out of the fear of my enemies, we agreed to have the children take her last name of Collins. Wyatt and Chad are my sons.”

Andrew was numb. He never suspected any of this. How stupid and inept could he have been? Andrew was so focused on solving the case, and then championing the downfall of the Knights of VanHelsing, that he was blind to the brilliant mastermind of it all. There was only one thing left to do.

Kara awoke from unconsciousness. With her eyes wide open now, she saw Andrew with his back to her. He and Vlad were in the midst of a stand off. Kara lay down and slithered across the floor to the other side of the bed. Once she was there, Kara reached under the pillow and pulled out a semi-automatic handgun. She stood up and looked at Vlad first. He saw her, but did not acknowledge, for fear of giving her away to Andrew. Kara raised the gun and capped off the first round!

Andrew flinched as the first bullet slammed into his back. He let go of the sword as two more bullets struck. With each one Andrew’s body jerked. He dropped to his knees and turned towards Vlad with a look of despair. Andrew fell face down and did not move. He slowly closed his eyes.

Vlad put down his sword and applauded Kara. They rushed into each other’s arms and their lips came together in a fervent kiss of victory.

“Get the book and let us be on our way,” Vlad said as they parted.

Kara walked over to get the book. When she turned around, Kara’s face drained of color. Vlad’s back shivered with fear and he turned to see that Andrew had risen from the dead. Vlad scrambled for his sword, but Andrew spun and hit him with a kick to the back. Vlad skittered across the stone floor and right past the sword. Kara rushed at Andrew, but he hit her with a combination of kicks. Kara dropped to the floor, beaten. Andrew picked his own sword up, just as Vlad jumped up and finally got hold of his own. Andrew charged at Vlad, who was ready. Vlad thrust his blade and caught Andrew in the leg. Andrew howled as Vlad withdrew his blade. Andrew stumbled and fell to the floor with blood seeping from his wound. Vlad lifted the blade to his lips and tasted Andrew’s blood. Soon he would have more.

Kara jumped up and rolled across the bed. Andrew never saw her. She was after her gun.

Andrew stood and tore off his overcoat. He hobbled over to the bed and with his blade, cut off a strip of the sheet. Andrew tied it around his wounded leg to slow down the bleeding. From the corner of his eye, Andrew caught a glimpse of Kara. With his left hand, he reached in the pouch on his belt and then let loose a deadly pair of throwing stars. The first one struck her in the chest; the other her neck. The gun flew from Kara’s grasp as she fell backwards to the floor.

Vlad eyes flashed in horror at seeing his lover get struck down. Vlad howled and bared his fangs. He switched his blade back and forth like a cat’s tail and charged towards Andrew, who also obliged the same. But this time was different. This time Andrew dropped the very last moment, slid on his knees and thrust his blade into Vlad’s chest and severing his heart. Vlad coughed and blood ran down from the corners of his mouth. He looked down at Andrew with a cold, soulless stare. Andrew stood and withdrew the sword and tossed it away. Vlad collapsed face down in his own blood.

Kara pulled the throwing stars from her chest and neck. She used the bed to pull herself up. She cleared the edge of the bed in time to see Andrew kill Vlad. Kara screeched and bound over the bed. She instantly picked up one of the swords. Kara charged at Andrew. He tumbled, rolled on the floor and picked up the other sword. Andrew turned just in time to block Kara’s attack. Kara withdrew and attacked from the right, but Andrew blocked it again. He hit Kara in the chest with a fore fist punch. Kara backpedaled a bit, as Andrew stood up. Kara charged once more and attacked from the left. Andrew countered. Kara raised the sword above her head in an attempt to drive it into Andrew from above. Andrew blocked, gave his sword a twist which ripped the sword from Kara’s hand. Andrew spun and drove his blade into Kara. She stared down in disbelief at the metal blade protruding from her bellie. She grasped hold of Andrew and drew herself closer. As Kara moved, the blade penetrated deeper and deeper into her body. When Kara was face to face with Andrew, she cupped his face with her hands and leaned in closer. Kara paused. She stared at him for a moment. Kara leaned in and kissed Andrew with her blood stained lips. When Kara withdrew, Andrew recoiled at the sight of Kara’s hollow eyes. It was the same look Talia had. Kara silently mouthed the word ‘sacrifice’. Her eyes closed. Andrew let go of her and Kara slid to the floor.

Andrew walked over and picked up the book. Andrew strode past Vlad on his way to the door. He stopped and cast a disgusted gaze upon the fallen mastermind and his tragic lover. Andrew unlocked the door, opened it and silently walked out.