Gunslinger's Moon (14 page)

Beth beseeched, “Have any of us hurt you? Did we try to? Nadi is finding a cure. That is how she discovered the potion to protect us against the sun. One day she will find a way to save us and undo this disease. Jed instead of fighting you, I am talking. We do not wish to rule over these people and forever live in fear of the day they will rise up and kill us. Our presence is a secret to the town. One that has not harmed them.”

Jed shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with the idea of letting vampires walk in daylight. He looked to Nadi. The witch doctor was hiding on the stairs, keeping watchful eyes on him. Obadiah came downstairs, his shoulder bandaged with white linen cloths.

“Are you close?” Jed asked.

“I am closer every day.” Nadi stated.

Beth’s hands were clasped together. Jed rubbed his eyes. He was weary and completely tired. “I want to meet with Douglas and Jonathon.”

“Done.” Beth exclaimed, her tone happy.

“And get rid of that damned voodoo doll.” He demanded.

“She will,” Beth promised. “Thank you, Jed”

There was little chance he could force Nadi to destroy it. He would have to accept Beth’s word, something that tightened his stomach. It had stopped raining, which some would take as an omen. Jed motioned for Obadiah to leave. Nadi handed the boy a healing salve. Jed nodded when Obadiah looked at him questioningly. The gunslinger took a look back at Beth. He had never seen a vampire act like that. Disconcerting. Perhaps these vampires were peaceful. Perhaps they did not want to crave to their unnatural desires. Perhaps they could resist.

No.

Jed remembered the look in Beth’s eyes as she fought Hudson. It was unnatural. One way or the other he would destroy them. Along with Bjorn and his werewolves. Maybe he would even find a way to get paid.

Chapter 10

It was early morning and Jed was talking with his partner. Obadiah was not an apprentice anymore. After last night the young man had the right to call himself a gunslinger. Still he had a long way to go before he would last by himself as Jed pointed out to the exuberant red head. Obadiah had barely listened and so wide was his grin that his mouth almost reached his ears. That was last night before bed.

Today, it was business. Not only did they have to meet the vampires, they also had to prepare for Bjorn. Sitting on a chair and staring out the window, Jed watched the townspeople walking. Despite last night’s events they continued on. Rumors and stories would be passed around. Everyone would have their correct version. No fear would creep in their hearts. The danger was over. Jed could have snorted. The proverbial storm was just arriving.

Obadiah was doing remarkably well for someone who had his shoulder chewed on. The healing poultice by Nadi mended the body unlike anything Jed had ever seen or used. His wounds had completely healed also, merely leaving pale scars that could have been much worse.

“How do we take them out?” His new partner asked.

The question was one Jed had spent all night twisting and turning over. He had also been coughing worse and between that and lack of sleep was feeling miserable. Enlisting the town’s help was impossible. Mostly unarmed and inexperienced they would not last a moment. Facing their nightmares could easily turn into the biggest catastrophe imaginable. Besides, convincing them would take remarkable persuasion. Not even Jed could have believed the extent of the foul infestation in Hickory. Nor would he in their shoes.

Jed said. “We will need to get the werewolves and vampires to wear each other out. On their own they are too much for us.”

“What about the sheriff?”

“Asking him is the surest way to discover what he knows. He has worked for the vampires for a long time. I don’t think he was ignorant the entire time. So we might as well talk with Carter. We need to know where everyone stands.”

The refreshing coolness of yesterday was already gone that morning. Most of the clouds had retreated beyond the horizon and the scorching heat was making a comeback. Jed bet that by dusk all of the mud would dry. The people passing them on the street gave them a wide berth. Out of fear or respect, Jed was not sure. A gunslinger rarely possessed respect. When he did, it never lasted long.

Both lawmen were awake as the gunslingers entered the sheriff’s office. For the first time one of the cells was being used. Hudson was morosely huddled on his bed, staring at the wall. His heated energy last night had depleted.

Carter looked from his desk. “Ross take a walk.” He ordered, command in his voice.

Deputy Ross sneered at the gunslinger, but he took his Winchester and went outside. Jed took a seat opposite of Carter while Obadiah leaned against the wall.

Carter spoke first after clearing his throat. “Ms. Cooper told me last night that you know.”

Rocking on the chair’s back two feet, Jed nodded. “How long did you know?”

“For a while. They offered me the same deal they’re giving to you.”

Jed glared. “You knew but you never said anything. Not to any authorities or government.”

“True.” Carter sighed. “But I thought why? They weren’t hurting anyone. Douglas, Miller, and Cooper were just laying low while Nadi searched for a cure. I knew she could do it. She saved me when I was on my deathbed.”

“I reckon that is when they told you about their condition.”

“It is,” Carter admitted. “However, I decided myself I would stay with them and keep an eye out on them. They never did anything. Sometimes they needed a little blood from me, but never did anyone get attacked. I promised myself if anything happened I would take them out.”

Jed studied Carter momentarily. At one time he could envision the sheriff as steely eyed and quick handed. A strong back and unbreakable determination. It was gone now. Too many nights of keeping watch and praying nothing happened. Dwelling for months thinking about the moment he dreaded would come. Sometimes a flood could not break a rock, but a steady drip of water surely erodes it. Carter wouldn’t stand against Douglas or Beth. Not anymore. Though he was not a thrall, a mindless drone obeying every command of his vampire masters, he also was not the steely eyed lawmen. Jed could see in his eyes that his nerve was shot.

Then Jed spoke, “What about your deputy?”

“Nah. I ain’t never told him. He doesn’t need to know either. We are just keeping the peace in our town between the everyday folk.” Sheriff Carter scratched his broad, pepper mustache. “What are your feelings on the matter?”

Jed brushed it away. All of it. The disgust and anger. So he said, with a perfectly even and normal tone, “Feelings? I have none. It’s strange I’ll give you that, but if no one is paying me to destroy them then what do I care?”

Relieved Carter said, “Good, I hoping you would be reasonable. Frankly, they are just sick. Nadi will find the right medicine soon.” The words were optimistic and a constant prayer hoping for the best. In Jed’s experience the only time you could be absolutely sure of anything was when you convinced yourself enough times.

Carter tapped the desk in resolution. “Well since that’s settled with, you should meet Douglas. He is in town currently.”

The gunslinger nodded, following Carter out. He gave Obadiah a steady gaze for a brief moment. They were entering the dragon’s lair.

Jed wore his guns loose in their holsters. Obadiah fingers twitched near his guns, which Jed managed to control. He could only imagine what his young partner was feeling. The adrenaline coursing through his veins, blood pounding in his head. Meanwhile Jed was cool, his mind was focused, calm. Beth had assured them nothing was going to happen. Supposedly, Douglas was peaceful like her. His thoughts not on blood but business. Of course all of this came from a vampire.

Meeting Douglas once again took place in Beth’s house. The ruined furniture and broken walls, eerily reminded him of the first time he entered the house, shortly after Miller’s demise. At least now it made sense, those wounds the dead vampire suffered, including the broken neck. Breaking the neck would work similar to a decapitation, though something strong enough to snap a vampire’s neck was just as worrisome.

As they walked down the small path to the door, it was opened by Henry. Dispassionately the aged butler extended a hand in invitation. Briefly, Jed hesitated. Then he stepped over the threshold and stepped inside. Nothing happened. He could see the three waiting in the living room, Douglas, Beth, and Jonathon. Nadi entered from the kitchen handing each of them a drink. All drunk it without ado, making faces as they swallowed.

The window to the outside had a heavy curtain blocking the sunlight. Douglas placed his glass on mantle above the fireplace. He turned and Jed saw his heavily lined face, still scowling. The face of a bulldog.

“I am glad you did not come in shooting.” Douglas quipped.

“Douglas, I told you Jed was here to talk. Don’t be antagonistic” Beth reprimanded.

Jed stood before them, placing his hands on his hips. Jonathon had tensed as Jed’s hands moved. “I’m not starting anything,” Jed said peacefully.

“I won’t either.” Jonathon smiled, underneath his black beard. “But, if I did then you wouldn’t know it happened.”

Jed smiled, feeling more at ease with this bluster. “Be careful Jonathon, there is always someone faster.”

Beth cut in, ending any retort Jonathon had in mind. “Gentlemen we are here to make peace not start a gunfight.”

“Can there be peace,” Douglas asked, “now that you know what we are?”

“Depends, do you have my money.” Jed replied.

“Pardon?” Douglas snorted. Beth also looked bewildered.

Jed clarified, “Payment from the werewolves we killed.”

Douglas chuckled. “I see you are a man after my own heart. When I first became a vampire I almost could not deal with it. My new life made me howl in agony. However, I am a realist and I accepted my fate. You are a realist too, not one of those sanctimonious bastards that do not understand we did not choose to be like thus. ” He reached into his wallet and pulled out a wad of dollars. “If we are not hurting anyone and you are not being paid to hunt us then why can’t we coexist?” Walking over he handed the money to Jed.

The gunslinger took it, counting swiftly. Nodding to himself, he handed a fifty to Obadiah. It was the first payment he had ever received as a gunslinger and he pocketed it with pride. Jed leaned down on a couch broken in half.

“That’s how I see it Mr. Douglas. But now down to business. Bjorn, the saloon owner, is coming with a pack of werewolves. We don’t know how many or when they will arrive. I will try to pry the information from Hudson.”

“Very well.” Douglas said. “Let me know the moment you find out. In the meantime I will deal with the townspeople. Last night frightened them greatly.”

Jonathon Reed stepped over. He whispered, “One day we’ll find out who is faster.” Louder he said. “My men will be ready whenever you need us.”

Jed gave him a flat look and shook his head imperceptibly. “Since that is settled, pardon us. We’ve got work to do.” Beth appeared to wish to talk further, but the gunslingers left abruptly.

The gunslinger ran a hand through his hair. “Obadiah go down to Ms. Jan and get a steak. Make sure it’s raw. Real raw.”

Obadiah scampered off. In the meantime Jed was going to work Hudson. The station master was alone in the cell, lying on the bed and kicking his spindly legs over the side. Silently, Jed leaned against the thick iron bars. He waited, arms crossed.

“What do you want?” Hudson griped. His voice was weak and hoarse, the lack of nourishment was getting to him. Small blood drops stained the thin mattress he rested on.

“More information on Bjorn. How many is he bringing? Do they expect a fight once they get here? Are they armed?” Jed interrogated.

“I ain’t giving you that information. You will find out when they come.” Hudson laid on his side, presenting his back to Jed, almost like a petulant child.

The gunslinger lingered, knowing in a few moments Hudson might talk. The door opened and Obadiah entered. He whistled, “Ms. Jan was none to pleased to make it, Jed. She nearly hit me as she cooked it. That women is crazy.”

The smell of the steak drifted through the room. Hudson’s heavy sniffing could be heard. The prisoner turned enraptured by the steak’s aroma. It was a large piece set on a plate, red juices leaking from its body. Jed placed it on the small opening of the cell where food could be handed over.

Jed teased. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk, Hudson?”

The station master licked his lips. A line of saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth. The Adam’s apple bounced expectantly up in down.

Obadiah joked in a whisper, “Love at first sight.” Jed had to agree Hudson’s eye stared at the steak as something more than a meal.

Jed said. “Looks more alive than dead, don’t it?” Jed made a small cut. Blood flowed from the incision. “I figured you would like your steak extra raw.” He placed an ear near it. “Hear that? If you listen closely you can it mooing.”

“I ain’t talking.” Hudson said absent mindedly. A loud growl escaped his stomach.

Jed held his hands up. “I never said you need to talk. A man has to eat sometime. Go ahead, it’s all yours.”

Suspiciously, Hudson crept forward. His shirt had blood stains form the bullets Jed sunk into him. Like some morphine addicts, Jed had seen in the war, his hands shook as he reached for the plate.  Dirty fingers grabbed the plate. Suddenly, Jed grabbed it also.

“Listen Hudson.” He said fiercely. “I’m over my head. Werewolves I can handle, but a family of vampires? I would never have gone after you if I had known. I understand several times a month you lose control. Vampires never have control. They are killing machines, without any regard for anything. Now you and me are in a bind. Neither of us can kill them on our own. The only way to defeat them is to bury the hatchet between us and go after them.” Then he let the plate go.

Hudson went to his bed before he consumed the steak. Little other way to put it. One moment it was in his hands, he never touched the utensils, and the next was a flurry of tearing and biting. Disgusted, Obadiah watched him eat it like an animal. Jed was dispassionate until Hudson started slurping up the blood pooling on the plate. That made him frown. Hudson sighed contentedly, the color returned to his face. His hands also stopped shaking. He licked the last remains of the meal from his fingers. Standing up he placed the plate back on the opening, not bothering trying to hide the knife that came with his meal.

“Scared of vampires are you, gunslinger?” He taunted to Jed.

“Every man has a fear, Hudson. Gunslingers aren’t any different. But I’d call it an intense hatred with rational anxiety.”

“It’s the woman,” Hudson smirked. “You never expected that.”

“I reckon I didn’t.”

“I’ll keep in mind what you’re saying. But, I won’t talk.”

“No problem. I understand.”

Hudson was hardly convinced, yet he did look at Jed in a different light. Jed promised him another meal later.