Nephalim

Chapter 3: Markus

Of all the stupid, idiotic things Cain could have done, this had to take the cake. He had that blood sucker dead to rights, pinned under his gun to the ground, but he listened to that magic flinging knife earred prick. Now, we have this tall, brooding mother fucker standing around whilst that magi waves his hands around like a jester.

"And there we have it," said the elf. "He now can only speak the truth, under penalty of pain, until I undo the incantation."

"Thanks, Lorr'an," said Cain. "Markus, ask your questions."

"Right," I said, moving closure. "So, let's get a baseline first, state your name."

"Vlad Tepes of house Dracul, son of Ludwig Tepes, whom you know as Nosferatu. Some know me by the name Dracula."

"How did you earn the name Dracula?"

"Markus," said Orsha, "do we really need that for a base line? He will suffer immense pain if he lies, right Lorr'an?" The elf nodded.

"I'm just curious to see if his tale matches with what the history books say."

"In my experience, master interrogator," said Dracula, "what you would read in the books, is only part of the truth."

"And what is your truth?"

"Markus," Cain barked. "We do not have time for this."

I grunted, and took out my note book. "Right, so where were you on the night the Celestial was murdered?"

"I was at my father's house. He had summoned me and his council as my twin had been doing some rather questionable deeds of late." 

"Wait, your dad didn't mention that when last we spoke," said Cain.

"It's a matter that concerns the world of Vampires, my dead Nephalim. There are plenty of things my father has not discussed with you."

"So where you there the entire night?" I asked, ignoring Cain.

"Not the entire night, not. Part of the night was spent in my study."

"Doing what?"

 "Doing research on how to best fuck your mo-" his words were cut off his own scream as his face contorted in pain.

I smiled. "Glad to see the elf's magic works. Next question, where were you last night? We came to pay you a visit but sadly you were not here." 

"I had urgent matters in the Black Forest to deal with. Apparently a clan of selkies, who have taken to call themselves Ulfhednar, were plotting a coup against a vampire lord I had placed in power over there."

"We encountered one of them last night," said Borrin, "Henrik was his name, I believe. Seemed like a lovely fellow."

Dracula's face contorted into a slight frown. "So the son of the wolf yet lives? That bastard has had it in for me for a couple of centuries now, no wonder you found him here, in my estate, surrounded by the dead."

"He claimed you were responsible for the death of his clan."

"I may have orchestrated the downfall of the Ulfhednar in my younger years, yes."

"We are getting off topic here," said Cain. "Vlad, what were you looking for?"

Dracula looked down solemnly. "An amulet that belonged to my mother."

"Your mother?" I asked doubtfully.

"Yes, my mother. You see, livestock, my family was never vampires from birth, no one is, we were turned. First to turn was my father during the Necromatic War by a demon known as Ki'ralia, then my brother and I. This was after my mother, Lisa Tepes, was slain by the undead hordes the Necromancer."

"I remember that," said Cain. "I was the one who arranged the meeting between your father and Ki'ralia, on your father's request of course. It was the least I could do after your great grandfather saved my life as a child."

"It is why my father and I respect you as much as we do, Cain. You helped us gain the power we needed to exact vengeance. I do wish my brother had the same respect, but alas that boy has now gone and taken the amulet."

"How are you so sure?" I asked.

"Whilst in the Black Forest, some of the selkies let loose that they were given instructions by one Adrian Tepes on how to stage the coup, and how to gain access to my halls beneath the Juggler."

"But there was a feral in that pit, took a bite out of Cain here."

"There are many ways into my halls, master interrogator, all of which are hidden."

"Did the selkies talk about the murder?"

"One did mention about the need for Angel's blood for their vengeance, and that being their payment for staging the coup. However I did not see any of that foul poison amongst them."

"Alright elf, you can release the spell." I said, closing my note book. The elf waved his hand, spoke some fancy words, and the spell lifted from Dracula.

"It seems," Dracula said, walking over to Cain, "that our stories have aligned once more. You seek Adrian for answers, and I seek him for what is rightfully mine. I shall work along side you and your, motley crew, until we no longer require each other's aid." He extended a hand towards Cain.

"Cain," I said, "I wouldn't trust him. He's a vampire. A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf."

"And you are a pig who looks like a human," said the vamp.

Cain smiled and shook his hand.