Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 31: Settling Old Scores

Peter looked up at Nicolae. For some reason, he no longer feared the vampire. Following the horrible episode with Nina, Peter felt numb inside.

"I did what she wanted me to do," Peter told Nicolae.

"You fool! I could've tried to save her! There was still time..."

Peter shook his head. "Nina didn't want your definition of 'saved.' She chose death over being a vampire... like you." He spat the last words.

Nicolae walked toward the bed. He sat down and caressed Nina's hair. He then covered his face with his hands and sobbed, an act so human it almost broke Peter's heart.

"Get out," Nicolae whispered. "I want to be alone with her."

Peter slowly got up. He took one last look at his niece and walked out the door. Oddly enough, he felt sorry for Nicolae who had ultimately been played by Viktor. Thinking of Viktor, Peter started to get angry. It was his fault that Nina became that lame creature. At least, if the transformation were successful, Nina would have remained young forever. Instead, because of Viktor, she had lingered somewhere between life and death, in an agonizing state of limbo that caused her great suffering.

By the time Peter reached the bottom of the staircase, he had made a decision. He walked toward the wall of armor and picked up a sword. He would put an end to Viktor, if it was the last thing he did.

Holding the sword in one hand, Peter entered the family den. He found Viktor lounging by the fireplace. When the old vampire noticed Peter and what he was carrying, he arched an eyebrow and sneered.

"And what exactly do you plan to do with that?" Viktor asked mockingly.

"You bastard! You purposefully misled Nicolae! Your own son! How could you?" Peter planted his feet firmly on the ground in a defiant stance.

Viktor looked amused by his sudden bravery. He started to snicker.

"The little boy finally grew some balls," he told Peter. "Do you really think you can hurt me?"

Peter frowned. Viktor's mockery reminded him of Stellian. He steeled himself and charged the vampire shouting:

"This is for Nina, you monster!"

Viktor simply raised one hand. With that tiny motion, he stopped Peter in his tracks, mid-air. Viktor then flicked his wrist and the sword flew out of Peter's hands and landed in the fireplace.

"You stupid boy," Viktor sneered. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Viktor dropped his hand, and Peter fell to the ground. He was stunned for a moment, but then got back up to his feet and continued his advance.

"And now you don't even have a weapon," Viktor laughed. "This is truly unbelievable!"

When Peter finally reached him, Viktor's face turned menacing. His eyes became blood red and his long fangs protracted through his gums. He grabbed a hold of Peter's neck with one hand and lifted him high up in the air.

But, to his great dismay, Peter didn't flinch. Instead, he said through gritted teeth:

"Go ahead! Kill me! If you don't, Nicolae surely will."

Viktor blinked for a second. He then gave Peter a terrible grin.

"Oh... but that would be way too easy," Viktor said, narrowing his eyes. "No, Peter Rakoczy. I'm not going to kill you. You just gave me a wonderful idea."

And with that, Viktor sank his fangs deep into Peter's throat. Peter felt an agonizing pain tear through him as the vampire began draining him of his blood. He slowly began to feel sleepy and lose consciousness. He knew he was dying. But right before he reached the point of no return, Viktor withdrew his fangs. He then bit his own wrist and stuck it in Peter's face.