Nephalim

Chapter 8: Heinrik Ulfson

I woke from my slumber. The dream was that of my ancestors. Hunting, howling as one. Every night, it was the same.

My eyes blinked open. The gray floor reflected the pale moonlight peering through a window. I sniffed the air, and found only the scent of the city... and lavender... and sulphur?

I growled as I rose to my feet and followed the scent. My paws padding softly on the cold floor.

As I neared the stairs case that leads down to the first floor, the scent of gunpowder joined the symphony of smells. I slowed my pace, and hunched low to the ground. Whatever disturbed my slumber was armed.

I looked down from the top landing of the staircase, everything all black and white, but vibrant and full. It was a peculiar site to behold, a human, a dwarf, an elf, an orc, and what I can only assume is like but of a different lineage.

Then there was the other, who reeked of lavender and sulpher and gunpowder. The one who fired his pistol at one of the immortals I impaled earlier, before my nap. He turned and looked at me. I cocked my head to the side, acting the fool.

"State your business here Fae," the one with the curious smell stated. Did he really think I was a Fae? The others have seen me now.

"Come on Cain," said the portly human. "It's just a dog, ain't like it's another shifter."

"Something is wrong with that dog," the Cain responded.

I chuckled and said, "Very perceptive." I rose up on my hind legs, and stretched. As I did, my pelt gave way to my other form, that of a human, with the wolf head as a hat.

"Please," said I, "do not be alarmed. I come in peace."

The Cain kept his weapon trained on me. "Peace, eh?" said the Cain. "Selkies seldom leave the forest peacefully. Now, I will ask this only once: Why the fuck are you here in Dracula's nest."

I smiled and said, "I am Heinrik Ulfson, son of Sigurd Ulfson. Ulfhednar is what my people are called, not Selkie, though we share the same lineage. Sworn enemies of vampires since the burning of our sacred tree.

"Vlad Dracul Tepis, or whom you call Dracula, was the monster that lead the inquisition against my people in Norway over two hundred years ago. I alone remain, and I alone seek my revenge."

The elf spoke, not to me, but to the Cain. It said: "Master Cain, if I might. I have studied Selkies and the Ulfhednar clan extensively while under the tutelage of the Grand Magi of the council. I believe he is telling the truth."

The Cain scoffed. Then he slowly released the hammer on his revolver. He gestured towards the impaled vampires and asked, "Your handy work?"

I nodded. "Much easier to kill vampires whilst they are impaled with spears as opposed to tooth and claw."

He holstered his revolver, and gestured at the portly human to do the same. "Fair enough. So, is he here?"

"No, he fled shortly after I arrived. Tell me, what interest does you and your peculiar group have in my prey?"

"He's a murder suspect, and I have questions for him."

"Murder? Ha! That is the lesser of his crimes."

The portly man spoke: "Oh yeah? And tell us, Mr, uhhhh, wolf? What else has he done that is worse than killing an angel?"

I growled softly. "I told you already, son of Mada, he murdered my clan, and burnt our sacred tree! I suppose you wish to have him alive as to interrogate him?"

"Unless you know of a decent necromancer," said the Cain.

"Unfortunately, I do not. It also means we have opposing beliefs in how to deal with him. I pray you find him before I do, lest you find nothing but a corpse."

With that, I donned my wolf pelt and changed back into my true form. I padded past the motley group of investigators and set off into the night.