CHAPTER XII

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. NY.

     John and Mary, Mrs. McQueen, arrive at Maryland where the map leads. They are heading towards Winans Meadow.

If this is where the dagger is then there is hope for them to destroy the enemy.

John drives past Leon Day Park.

The blond vampire admires the environment as the sun's light dims. He glances at Mrs. McQueen with the side of his eyes, her eyes are closed and her breathing is moderate.

She seems to be asleep but John knows better, he has known Mary for years and she never sleeps around anything not human.

"Your husband picked a lovely place to hide a magical killing weapon," John says, "What is that supposed to mean?" she asks, her stare piercing through John like a million daggers.

"I thought you were asleep", "You know I'm not.

Now, what were you saying about my late husband?".

John sticks out his tongue at her, "Eyes on the road, only one of us is immortal here", John giggles.

They reach Winans Meadow and park by the side of the road.

John and Mrs. McQueen get out of the car and John opens the map, "Let's find this thing" he says.

The atmosphere is beautiful and the air is fresh and clean.

The trees, the grass and the streams, all a beautiful sight.

John looks at the people enjoying the Meadow and he smiles.

Every single time is precious for a mortal.

"Why do you work for them?" Mrs. McQueen suddenly asks, "What do you mean?".

"I've known you for years. If there is any vampire I can give the benefit of doubt, it's you.

You are not usually one to bow before other vampires, so why bow for the twins?".

John pauses and sighs, "It's not what you think. Do you know who their father is?".

"I don't know but from your tone I can tell he must be a really old vampire", Mrs. McQueen says.

John let's out a chuckle before he continues his walk, "He is the oldest vampire there is, the first.

In fact, I'm not even sure he is a vampire", John says.

"The oldest vampire? Surely, you don't mean who I think you mean?", she asks.

"Count Dracula" .

Mrs. McQueen stops in her tracks, "You are joking, right?"

"No, I'm not" "So, my daughter has been kidnapped by vampires who work for The Count Dracula?"

"That's why Samuel didn't want you there, you would just get killed", "I don't care, if anything happens to Rachael I'm going to stick a stake up Dracula's ass".

John laughs at her statement, "Still, that doesn't answer my question".

"Gabriel saved my life 65 years ago. Dracula's men attacked my home and killed my family. I was close to death before Gabriel found me"

"He turned you, didn't he?", she asks.

"Yes".

They reach a lake, "Come on, piggyback" "I'm not doing that, I'm an old woman"

"Not to me, you are not", the woman grunts as she reluctantly climbs John's back and he jumps across.

He drops her down, "If you tell anyone about this I will hunt you,".

"What? Too badass for a piggyback?".

She scoffs, "So, you are loyal to your maker" "Something like that" "And Samuel? I don't think you two are buddies"

"I despise the guy but it's not like I can face him, he'll shred me to pieces"

"So, you are scared of him?"

"A little, he is not someone to fuck with. Neither of them is"

"But they are just vampires".

John pauses, "They are not vampires, Mary.

They are worse than vampires".

Mary pauses beside John and stares up at the him, "What are they?".

"Sphinxes"

"Sphinxes?", she scratches her head as she as she walks beside John who leads the way according to the map in his hand.

"The creatures with a human head and a lion's body?"

"Yes, but I've never seen them turn into that.

The looks given to them by different cultures may just be a myth"

"Wait, how is Dracula, the first vampire a father to Sphinxes?", Mrs. McQueen asks as this information pushes her mind into confusion.

"I don't know Mary, but I am sure they aren't vampires"

"But Gabriel turned you" "You speak based on a misconception.

Not every vampire can turn humans to vampire, it's not as easy as Twilight make it seem", John says.

"Even then, don't you need to be a vampire to make vampires?" John's explanation gives Mrs. McQueen little to no clarity.

"Not necessarily. Different creatures can create vampires but only if you know how. And that is not common knowledge," John explains.

"And yet, your kind are everywhere. Almost like mosquitoes," she says and John laughs.

DRACULA'S LAIR.

      "Father", Samuel raises his head towards the throne, where his father smiles down at him.

"Brat. You have come to die alongside your brother" "Piece of shit", Samuel spits on the floor.

Dracula stands from his throne and walks down, grinning, rubbing his palms against each other.

"I have a feeling you and I aren't going to exchange much words" he says.

"I guess you know me then. Let's do this".

The two immortals charge at each other with inhuman speed, lashing jabs after jabs.

Dracula overpowers his son and tosses his away against the hard floor.

"Be careful, I don't want your filthy blood on my floor" "Screw you," he pulls out an AMT Auto-mag III and buries two bullets in Dracula's chest before aiming at the guards holding Gabriel in chains.

Like a gust of wind Dracula appears beside Samuel and holds his hand.

Crack!

He breaks it.

Samuel screams in agony as Dracula disarms him, "That must hurt," Dracula says wearing a sadistic smile.

Samuel staggers backward as he holds his hand and groans, "Come on, don't be a pussy".

Dracula walks slowly toward Samuel, savoring the thrill like a predator about to devour a helpless prey.

"Heal you idiot" Gabriel shouts at his brother.

Samuel begins to growl but before he makes a move Dracula appear from the shadows and snaps his neck.

Samuel's lifeless body falls to the ground, "Kids these days", Dracula smiles.

Dracula turns to the silky hair vampire, "Cletus, take them to the dungeon. I want my cubs ready for the sacrifice".

His grin turning into a frown of disgust.