CHAPTER TEN

Norman sat in his personal room. He had a cup filled with bourbon on his palm. He sipped its content slowly, enjoying the way it tasted in his mouth. He switched on his television to watch a program that could at least help cool his mind. He often marveled at how advance humans became. Technology made life so easy that sometimes he wondered how the future generations would be like though he was confident that he could live forever if he remains careful and play his cards well.

He switched the channel to a new station and discovered that it was currently broadcasting its news. The news was what caught his attention. He increased the volume of the television. The newscaster was speaking about three murders discovered in the city. There were no similarities or links between the victim but the pattern of the murder was the same which was a mystery. Only a lunatic would just randomly peel people's skin off without a reason or something of the sort.

His mind flashed to what Martin told him. He began to see things from Martin's point of view. This wasn't normal, it was definitely the work of a vampire. He wondered which vampire would risk this. None of his vampires could dare do something like that, at least that's what he thinks. This days one can't put his trust on others. Everyone for himself. But then again his men wouldn't dare disobey or disrespect him. He gave them enough reasons to fear him so they wouldn't defy him.

But there was Martin. He wondered what Martin was hiding from him. Martin was like a brother to him, the closest friend he ever had. He had met Martin so many years ago. He was a young man at the time. He was lost and confused. He helped Martin become the man he was now. Martin had always respected him even when they became very close.

There was a time Martin fell in love with a lady, Patricia. He loved her so much that he began to make mistakes in his missions. She always occupied his thoughts. Norman saw how vulnerable he was and feared for his life. In vampires world having a weakness could be the right tool for your enemies. They wouldn't hesitate to exploit that and use it to get to you. He didn't want Martin to be vulnerable so he did something he wasn't proud of. He killed her right in front of Martin and in front of other vampires. He used it as an example to all vampires to avoid getting attached to someone that would make them become vulnerable especially the humans.

Martin didn't react that day. Actually he had prepared for a fight with Martin but that didn't happen. Martin was a tough opponent and he didn't know this. Since he worked directly with a vampire lord all his sires thought he was greater than them all. Actually they were right to some extent because he was sired directly from a vampire lord which gave him more strength and stamina and also it gave him an advantage over other vampires.

However Martin was a pure vampire. He was born a vampire and so had no human traits. He was also a high ranked vampire and of royal blood which made him very dangerous. He had seen Martin fight. Martin matched him in speed and stamina, the only advantage he had was strength and experience. Martin had never seen him fight so Martin of course doesn't know this and he planned on keeping it that way. He had hurt Martin deeply by killing Patricia but Martin never questioned him nor did he talked to Martin about it. He just kept being himself and that was what feared Norman the most. For years he suspected if Martin was plotting something against him but then he later relaxed when he noticed Martin wasn't doing anything suspicious.

Things are however different now. People were coming to his city unannounced and were causing problems for him and the last thing he needed right now was Martin to have something to do with it. He stood up from his bed and walked into the bathroom. He stripped and relaxed in a tub. He closed his eyes to rest a little but like they say. There was no rest for the wicked.

He stood up from the tub and got dressed. He walked towards his living room and sat there. He then heard a knock. He could sense who it was, a vampire and from the scent he could tell it was Ivan.

"Come in," he said aloud. Ivan walked in with his head bowed. He had instructed Ivan to follow Martin and find out what he was up to. If Ivan was here then something was wrong. He studied Ivan's face to find clues before he land the bombshell. Ivan looked worried. That's bad!

"You sent me to follow Martin", he said, and to also investigate the new detective in his office. "Yes" Norman replied him, he was getting quite impatient though he feared what Ivan was about to say wasn't good for him.

"The new detective in his office was a...." Ivan seemed to choke on his words, he wasn't sure how to tell Norman what he just discovered. It would certainly piss him off and he had seen Norman pissed once. He chopped off the head of the vampire in rage.

Norman saw his hesitation and knew what Ivan was trying to avoid. "Don't worry I'll control myself and won't kill you, you have my word." Ivan seemed relieved by his words.

"The new detective is a hunter" he said, "she's a vampire hunter sir!". The news caught Norman by surprise. That was the last thing he expected. "A vampire hunter?" He repeated. "You mean a vampire hunter is here in my city working for the cops and Martin knew and didn't tell me."

"That's not all sir" Ivan spoke again. Norman braced himself for another bombshell. "The woman went to a bar last night and well, it was a vampire bar. As usual they sensed she was a hunter and gathered to kill her but she fought them off and... "

"How do you know this?" Norman asked surprise. "I was following Martin", Ivan replied. Norman wasn't sure where the conversation was headed but he prepared for the worse.

"He helped her", Ivan said, "he saved the vampire hunters and killed the other vampires, your vampires. They were his friends, about six of them. He killed them all and burnt them. I tried to follow him but he supersped and I couldn't catch up with him."

"And the woman?" Norman asked. "She called for help and passed out" he replied, " then some people came and took her away. I didn't know who they are but I know where they stay since I followed them there. But I saw someone else that looked familiar. A man, I once saw him in your office with some board members."

"You've been very helpful" Norman said, "Martin has crossed a line that he can never undo what he has done so from now hence forth he's an enemy. Spread the word to other vampires. Whoever finds him and brings him to me will get a reward and a promotion."

"Dead or alive?" Ivan asked. Norman bit his lips in frustration. He felt heavy in his hearth but he just needed to do. "Tell them to do what is most convenient for them" he said, " I'll prefer him to be brought to me so I can punish him myself but if he shows resistance then they're allowed to kill him. But make sure the body is brought to me."

"Yes boss" Ivan said and turned to leave. "Wait" Norman said. " You've just been promoted. You're taking Martin's place." Ivan looked up in surprise and immediately went on his knees before Norman with a bow. " I'm honored boss", he said, "and I'll do my best." Norman nodded at him. He stood up and disappeared behind the door closing it gently as he left. Norman sighed heavily. But then again, there was a good news in all this. If a vampire hunter is in town then he's got the perfect weapon, he needed to go through with his plan. If all went well he'll soon be a vampire

lord and Darius will be no more.