Suburban Vampire Ragnarok

Chapter 51

Elizabeth knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"Open up, Adam, I know you're in there," she called out. Still no answer. So, she knocked again. "This is Enforcement!"

Finally, she had enough. "Fuck this shit," she cursed as she kicked down the door to Adam's modest West Linn home. The door crashed to the floor, sending dust and wood slivers flying.

"Knock-knock! This is Enforcement, and I have a warrant for your death. Come and get it!"

Elizabeth drew the Colt Combat Elite from the holster on her belt and proceeded to look about the darkened house. She could detect no noise, no movement. It looked as if Adam had fled the scene.

"Damn. The prick's not here. Now I have two errant vampires to hunt down."

She was about to holster her pistol, when Adam launched his attack, bursting from the coat closet. He hit Elizabeth hard and knocked her down, over the sofa and onto the living room floor. As she fell, she dropped her pistol. She reached for the fallen Colt, but Adam stepped on her hand and crushed it. She yelped in pain as he maintained pressure on her limb.

"Elizabeth," Adam gloated, "wow. I thought you were going to be more of a challenge. My father, Jack that is, really built you up. Said you were like an Amazon. I am so underwhelmed right now."

Elizabeth glared up at Adam, her teeth clenched in rage. "Oh, I haven't even begun to fight." She then delivered a kick to Adam's midsection, throwing him back against the living room wall, where he reached for an old naval cutlass that was mounted there. Elizabeth tried to deny him the weapon as she rained blows on him, then attempted to grapple with the young-looking man. But Adam managed to elbow her in the stomach, sending her back to the living room floor. He then drew the cutlass. Elizabeth tried to reach for the Colt, but Adam's blade was at her throat before she could.

"Uh-uh!" Adam said. "You brought a gun, loaded with those nasty warheads, to a swordfight? Now, now, Elizabeth, that just isn't sporting. You know, I'd like to savor this moment, but I know you have other tricks up your sleeve. So, I'll just end you now."

Adam brought the cutlass up, intending to sever Elizabeth's head. The wooden stake that suddenly protruded from the center of his chest convinced him otherwise. He dropped the sword, then turned to ash. As Elizabeth was covered with the remains of the dead vampire she looked up to see Phaedra, who stood there smiling as she held the stake in her hands.

"It looked like you needed some help," Phaedra said as she helped Elizabeth up and dusted her off.

"I had the situation in hand. Besides, didn't I tell you to wait in the car?"

"I do what I want, and what I wanted accidentally included saving your ass."

"Yeah, sure. I almost had Adam. And now you get the credit."

"Well, I did dust him so, yeah, I get the credit."

Phaedra slinked toward the entry, stepping on the fallen door as Elizabeth followed. "Oh, I may mention you assisted in my report, but as far as giving you credit?"

"Would you rather your friend Scott be here? Do you think he might have done a better job?"

"Yes, I actually do, and I can't believe I just said that. Speaking of which, don't hurt him."

"Who? Hurt Scott? Me?"

"Yeah, I know the game you're playing with him. I just want you to take it easy on him. He's different."