DEATH AND DOMINATION EPISODE THREE

 

At first I wasn't sure doling out the chapters a few at a time was a good idea. However, I'm getting a perverse pleasure in prolonging the agony. That's sick I know but it reminds me so much of those wonderful nights at Blood Moon so long ago. The begging the pleading the tortured moans, oh how I miss turning the screws. Being a good story teller at Blood Moon meant incurring the wrath of the players. Perhaps I enjoyed it too much? Here are two more chapters I dedicate them to those of you that hated me the most.

BLOOD MOON SOCIAL CLUB

DEATH AND DOMINATION EPISODE THREE

By Karl Clay Vetter & C. Vetter

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the authors’ imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This story was inspired by the fictional events and characters created at the Blood Moon Social Club's interactive theater. Produced and directed by Karl Clay Vetter, C. Vetter and Patrick Foster.
The authors wish to thank all the Blood Moon Social Club members for their outstanding performances and support. The fictional characters in this story pay homage to you each and every one. Proceeds from this book go toward keeping the Blood Moon Social Club alive.

Copyright protected © 2015 by Karl Clay Vetter and C. Vetter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the creators, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized digital sharing is a punishable offense.

Technical support Patrick Foster.

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BATTLE BUTTE: CROSSBREEDS 1
THEY WERE BORN HUMAN THEY BECAME SOMETHING ELSE

TANGLEWOOD TERORISTS: CROSSBREEDS 2

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DARK LEGENDS: CROSSBREEDS 3

NO HEROES ONLY DARK LEGENDS

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DEATH AND DOMINATION CHAPTER 5 THE WITCH

Laughter broke like shattering glass from the courtyard. A small group of onlookers were watching a private game between a large brute of a man and a striking blonde woman. Both looked to be in their thirty’s but in this crowd looks are never an indicator of reality.

The man was loosing heavy to the woman and slammed another wad of cash on the table. “Again,” he demanded.
“Why don't you try your hand at poker, this just isn't your game?” She knew of course that he couldn't quit. Knowing how to manipulate people especially men was her greatest talent. At times she found that supernatural men were even easier to control than mortals having super egos. “Very well if you insist.” Resting on the table was a sharp double edged stiletto. She held her hands over it and soon it levitated off the table and hovered between her fingers. The tip pointing strait at his heart. He held his hands a few inches apart, the idea was to snatch the blade as it flew across the table.
“Are you ready?”
“I'm ready Kalina.”
She snapped her fingers and the blade shot forth and stuck deep in his chest a millisecond before he slapped his big hands together. A quarter inch deeper and it would have pierced his heart. The gathered spectators hooted with glee adding to his embarrassment. Kalina took her winnings and pulled the blade free. “I think we've had enough fun with vampire mumbly peg for one night don't you Darius?”
Darius had been a professional wrestler before being turned and his ego was as big as his mighty shoulders. “No damn your cursed soul. Again witch, or I'll wring your pretty neck.” The table cracked where he struck it with his giant fist.
***
Barron's telepathic powers were highly developed. Legendary among vampires, none could keep a secret from him for long and many had tried. Rapture was a rare exception. Every attempt to read his thoughts had failed and this gave him pause. Another irritating fact was Rapture didn't lie to him he simply withheld key details or cleverly avoided answering questions. Lies were easy to detect word play on the other hand was more difficult to decipher and Rapture was a master at twisting words.
“What do you know about the Scepter of Babylon?”
“I can tell you that the scepter was created in a time when the dark forces held great power over the mortal world. Some claim it was too powerful and it ultimately destroyed all those that attempted to wield it. This of course is what all legends warn.”
Barron agreed. “I've never heard of an artifact of great power that wasn't dangerous. Wielding it or not however, is a rather pointless debate. I can't even understand this scroll and I'm sure the secret of it's location is in here.”
Rapture clasped his fingers together. “As I said I'm here to assist you. All you need do is ask.”
Barron knew this was a trap. If he asked for help it was akin to opening the storm cellar door during a tornado. Once opened the twister was in. In spite of the risk his obsession with the artifact was overriding his good sense. “Are you telling me you can read this?” The moment he spoke he saw an icy glint in Raptures eyes and the trap was sprung.
“No of course not you are the master historian here. I never had much of a knack for ancient languages. But the lighting in here is all wrong. Turn off the electrics and light this candle.” He produced a hand dipped beeswax candle from his coat pocket. The wick sparked and a small flame appeared.
Barron dripped hot wax on to the desk then stuck the candle to it. “Okay, what now?”
Rapture adjusted the scroll so as to catch the flickering illumination in a way that caused shadows to dance across the pages. He then waved his hand in front of the flame and in hushed tones recited perfectly a spell in Latin. A moment later the shadows formed new words that Barron could easily read.
“That's a very clever spell and you just happen to know it would work here?” He could not conceal the sarcasm.
Rapture shrugged “One of many little tricks I've picked up along the way.”
Barron's attention was drawn back to the words and their hidden meaning. He devoured them as a famished man loose in a Vegas buffet. Abruptly, he was stopped when the intercom crackled and the pit boss alerted him to trouble in the courtyard.
“Hey Boss, you better look at number six.”
Barron turned a monitor on and saw a crowd gawking at a huge angry man squaring off with a blonde woman.
Suddenly, Rapture removed his hand and the shadow glyphs vanished. He seemed fascinated with the scene.
Barron was visibly frustrated at the interruption. “Aaron, deal with that now!”
He turned back to Rapture only to find the chair vacant. A second later Rapture appeared in the courtyard emerging from a darkened corner. Barron was now fully engaged in the situation unfolding on the screen.
***
No one noticed the stranger approaching the confrontation. All eyes were transfixed on the dagger floating in front of the woman and the behemoth glowering at her.
“I don't like threats Darius. This time I won't pull back on the blade and it will slice through that lump of shit you call a heart.”
“You were cheating me you cauldron stirring witch I was too close, with twenty feet between us I can't miss.”
Kalina narrowed her eyes and focused her mind on the blade. She raised her hands and made a sudden gesture. The blade flew to its target at speed faster than human eyes could follow. The blade passed his mitts as they slammed together. The tip pierced his flesh and stopped. From out of his bloody shirt a black tentacle had lassoed the blade preventing it from punching through the man's heart. A second tentacle wrapped a shadowy noose around his thick neck and squeezed with the strength of a python.
Rapture stood next to him as the shadow snake lifted the giant off the ground. “Need I remind everyone of the rules about violence on club grounds? Fun time is over, I suggest you all go back to the tables.” The spectators slid off in different directions. He let the man drop and strolled to stand in front of the woman. Her dagger dangling from a wisp of a shadow.
Her lip curled slightly. “Thank you for saving me, I really don't know what I would have done had you not come when you did,” Kalina's natural voice was deep and sultry but she pitched it now to sound sweet and girlish.
“I was rescuing that foolish bull from being slaughtered.”

Her normal tone returned. “I'll thank you to give me my knife now.” She reached for it but the shadow jerked it away.

Rapture smiled and glanced back at the bull staggering away; rubbing his bruised ego. “I wonder how that buffoon would react if he knew your blade was hollow and every prick of your little thorn drained blood into the hilt's blood chamber?”

She willed her blade to return forcing the shadow to tighten its grip. “Give it to me before you make me angry.”
“Or you'll do what? Curse me to an eternity of living in darkness.”
“I already did that and you've been a thorn in my eye ever since.”
The shadow dissolved and her blade snapped back flying past her lovely throat and striking a stone wall. The force shattered the hilt spilling the precious vampire blood. “Oh dear, how clumsy of me. I hope you didn't have a customer for that?”
“I did you bastard and now he'll want his money back.”
Rapture stepped in close lowering his voice. “You could be the wealthiest woman in the world with your powers and yet you persist in these petty scams. I don't believe you care about anything but inflicting torment.”
She took a step closer, her voice like a leopard’s purr. “I do enjoy torturing fools but in seven hundred years I've had no greater pleasure than watching you squirm.”

DEATH AND DOMINATION CHAPTER 6 THE ZOMBIE

Woody Brown had it all, a beautiful wife, great house, two cars and a fantastic job. He worked at Caesar's Palace and was a rising star climbing the corporate ladder. The name Woody came from his father's favorite football player turned actor, Woody Strode. The resemblance to the tall striking Strode was not entirely coincidental. The actor was known for his incredible physique like a Grecian statue carved from black granite, and his smooth glistening scalp. Young Woody raised on his name sakes films and wanting to please his dad worked out religiously growing tall and muscular like the original. He too was a sports fan and played high school and collage football.

Woody Brown's funeral was both a beautiful and tragic affair. His entire family mourned in the pews. His mahogany casket was closed and draped in a mound of flowers. The procession moved slowly through Vegas to the cemetery where his empty coffin was laid to rest. Officially ruled an accident his body was never found. The corporate jet exploded over mountains near Vegas and was lost. Afterward the grief stricken mourners were forced to move on with their lives without the young man they all loved. A few miles away in a small very old grave yard illuminated by a full moon Woody Brown arose from the dead and walked into the Blood Moon Social Club.
Aaron Luger stood near the entrance of the casino chatting with a newly turned vampire. Tina had only been un-dead a few weeks. Before that she'd been a blood donor to her creator. She was not completely clueless of the supernatural world but was still full of questions.
“So how does a vampire casino operate in Nevada in complete secrecy? You've got the gaming authority, liquor licenses, background checks, FBI, news paper and TV reporters, How?”
Aaron shrugged. “Look, all the licenses are handled by attorneys, agents and proxies, the press are easy to misdirect, politicians are greedy corrupt scum that love under the table payoffs. And there's a dirty little secret about all the Vegas swingers clubs. Everyone knows about the privet sex clubs but no one investigates them because the investigators are just as sick as the freaks that hang out in the clubs. When all else fails we resort to good old fashion hypnosis and mind control. Get it now?”
“Oh Okay.” She wander off to be with her Lord.
Aaron was a gate keeper of sorts it was his job to make sure none of those pesky mortals he'd been discussing with Tina actually got in without being escorted. Humans were a needed resource for food as well as camouflage. Some like Tina were groomed for years before turning. Others were simply bribed but kept in the dark. What walked in the door was human or at least it appeared to have been once. Aaron reached out with his senses and heard no heart beat and smelled the taint of death but what ever it was, it defiantly was not a vampire nor a were-changer.
“Excuse me sir this is a private club do you have a membership?” The question was rhetorical Aaron knew every approved guest on sight. The thing lumbered past him without acknowledgment. “Hey I asked you a question. Who are you?” Still no response. Aaron went into action. This was where his skills as a gate keeper shined. When dealing with humans one had to be careful and control one's vampire speed and strength. No claws or fangs either, but still handle the intruder efficiently. This tactic would prove to be flawed. Aaron grabbed the man and gave him a firm jerk. Which resulted in Aaron landing on his head thirty feet away smashing into a black jack dealer.
The night before Rapture had interceded in a ruckus involving an acquaintance from his past. Since then he had been assisting in the translation of Barron's scroll using his unique candle. He'd left Barron for a few minutes to stroll through the casino. He did not need blood as the vampires did on occasion he would swallow it as a pretense to being one of the nocturnal blood drinkers. Rather delve into his true nature it served him well to simply blend in. In his human form however he often sipped strong spirits. Such was the case now. The burn of 151 rum was tantalizing, then he saw Kalina and the taste turned as to water. A moment later he saw Aaron fly through the air.
The tosser lumbered along and came to a stop near Kalina. She was not the only woman in sight nor was she elegantly dressed as were some of the other females. Clad in a black skin tight body suit with high heel black leather boots but she was the only one not a vampire. Not a mortal either but that would be difficult for most to determine. The only other factor that may have attracted the stranger to her was her beauty.
Even Rapture who despised her and knew first hand of her evil temper. Had to admit to himself that she was the most extraordinary women he'd ever met. This ate at him for it was the reason why he was cursed to dwell alone among the shadows. At least vampires had others of their kind, such company as that was. Aaron was pissed and about to unleash hell on the intruder. Rapture cautioned him with a raised hand. “Let me talk to him.”
Aaron was now angry at Rapture for interfering with his job. “Beat it, I don't need you.”
Rapture ignored him and approached the stranger. “My apologies for the doorman's rudeness my friend, allow me to offer you a drink.” No response but he did seem interested in Kalina's array of jewelry decorating her womanly pride. “Well he may be a dead man but he certainly acts like a regular guy. You want to introduce your admirer?”
Emerald sparks flashed from her glare.“I never saw this creep before... get it away from me.”
Barron and five tough security types arrived and secured the scene. “What's going on?”
Rapture took the stage before anyone could answer. “ Our guest didn't take to being man handle by the doorman. I suggest we go into a conference room and deal with this privately but I don't recommend anyone try and force our guest in there,” glancing at Aaron.
Barron cocked his head “Well what do you propose?”
Rapture looked at Kalina. “You go first and keep him in sight.”
“Why me?” her rage boiling.
“You're the only witch around here and he seems to like you.”
She backed into the room slowly and the stranger followed. “I'm going to get you for this. Oh how I'm going to make you suffer.”
Aaron sidled up to Rapture and grumbled. “I'm no fucking doorman...”
Rapture cut him off “Don't act like one.”
Aaron was really steamed. “Just remember, you've got no friends around here dick weed.”
“I've got no friend's anywhere. Now be a good fellow, and get on that door. Do try not to break the furniture next time you get tossed around.”
Barron turned to his men. “I think we can handle this go look around, check everything. I don't like uninvited … what ever he is.” They left and he closed the door.
Kalina had stopped in the middle of the room and so did her follower. He seemed in a trance wavering as he gazed upon magnificent chest. “This is getting gross make him stop.”
Barron studied the man for a moment them spoke. Well his mind has been wiped clean of thoughts or memories. All save one, a woman, very beautiful. Uh, but not you Kalina she's not even similar to you. I couldn't get a name but her image is deeply embedded in his subconscious. He must have had great emotional feelings for her.”
Rapture waved a hand in front of his face. “I gather he's not a vampire.”
“No he's a mortal man recently deceased, then somehow resurrected. I believe the colloquialism would be, he's a zombie.”
A snarl of a grin crept across Rapture's face. “Well that explains a lot why don't you fill in the rest, Kalina dearest?”
Kalina pushed out her chest of charms and amulets. “Wipe that smug leer off your face. I don't know anything about this.” Her sudden movement caused a reaction, the zombie's eyes following her.
“This is the kind of Voo Doo you do so well.”
“I don't do necromancy.”
Barron hushed them. “You two can continue this love affair another time I have no patients for it. This creature is drawn to you and I think I know why. Those charms you're wearing are enchanted are they not?”
Kalina paused reluctant to give away trade secrets.
“Yes they are, “ Rapture said. “She's geared up with amulets all over her body.”
“I thought as much. Now take them off one at a time and lay them on that table. Let's see what he does.”
Fuming she did as instructed. One by one she removed Chinese charms, Celtic amulets, spirit talismans, not until she pulled from her cleavage a strangely carved bone on a leather thong did he react.
Barron stopped her “That's it. Give it to me.” Taking it the zombie immediately lost interest in her and followed Barron.
Rapture smirked. “Men can be so fickle.”
Barron pushed him aside. “What is this?”
She shrugged. “I don't know, I picked it up at a swap meet.”
A snort of derision from Rapture. “Trust me she doesn't carry anything without knowing the story behind it.”
“Fine it's a relic... A knuckle bone from a Voo Doo priestess, it's carved with an incantation to the dead.”
“And you said you don't do necromancy.”
Barron held it up and let it sway back and forth. He gazed deep into the zombies blank eyes and concentrated all his mental skills on the creature's subconscious mind. “Listen to me, hear my voice. I summon you from the abyss. Come to me, hear my voice. Follow the image of the woman look upon her. Follow her to me, follow the sound of my voice...” Abruptly Barron staggered back and fell into a chair exhausted and dazed.
The zombie blinked several times. “Regina... Regina... where's my wife.” Not seeing her he became agitated “Regina!”
Barron still held the relic. The zombie lunged at him.
The lights in the room cast long shadows from the table legs. They whipped around his ankles anchoring his feet to the ground.
Barron gave the relic to Kalina. “Here talk to him.”
“Oh, now you're not so hot for my toys.” She held it up and muttered an incantation. “Look upon me. I am not Regina she is not here. Who are you? Tell me your name.”
“Regina...”
“Try to remember your name... Tell me your name.”
“Woo...Wood...Woody.”
“Woody. That's a good name, I'm Kalina this is Barron... him you don't need to worry about. Do you know what happened to you?”
He stared at her confused at first. “Regina?” He looked around the room and for the first time he seemed to be aware of his surroundings. “I don't remember.”
She smiled. “He's coming out of it. Listen to me Woody. Where did you come from?”
He struggled with memory. “A grave yard... old grave yard.”
Rapture looked a Barron who was getting his strength back. “If he walked here that would be the the old abandoned cemetery near the wolf camp.”
“Yes I agree his shoes are expensive but worn and dusty.”
Kalina probed further. “Woody, think hard now, what happened to you? How did you get like this?”
He seemed to be really trying hard. “I don't know...I can't remember.”
Barron studied his face. “Someone went to a lot of trouble to do this. I'll have Aaron do a missing person search we'll find out who he is. Figuring out who did this may take a little longer.
Kalina put the relic around her neck and retrieved the rest of her arsenal. “Well I've done all I can, glad I could be of help. I'll send you my bill. Mind you my zombie control service doesn't come cheap.” She started for the door but a black tentacle snagged her narrow waist. She whirled on Rapture ”You get your dirty snakes off me or I'll set your eyes on fire.”
“You're not going anywhere. You think we're stupid. You show up here at this time with a VooDoo charm and a zombie follows you right through the front door. That's no coincidence.”
Barron stood up I'm inclined to side with him on this at least until we discover otherwise. Necromancy is a vile practice even for our kind.” Then he looked at Rapture. “No offense but I gather you two are old friends or something and you Sir are no vampire. I don't know exactly what you are but if she created you then this would be an easy task. “ Pointing at Woody. “Both of you are suspect and I intend to find out what's going on. You can both stay here--- not that I can hold you I'm sure you could simply disappear. But I'm asking you to stay and let me figure this out.” The request was half hearted, leaving the impression that if they did run away no one would care.
Rapture spoke first. “I told you why I was here and I will not leave until my debt is paid in full. I also offer my services in uncovering the truth about poor Woody at no charge.”
“Aren't you the gallant hero. Well I have no intention of leaving either. But you're still getting a bill I'm a working girl.” She snatched up a talisman and poked it in Rapture's face. “Now get ready for agony like no other.”
“Relax.” The shadow rope slipped away. “You've gotten awfully Ill-tempered in your declining years.”
She waved a hand summoning a gale force wind and the doors blew open. You haven’t seen Ill-tempered yet. But you will.”

Coming soon chapters seven The Cadre and eight The Stalker. Forbidden romance leads to innocent blood being spilled at the front doors of the Blood Moon Social Club.

Thank you for reading.

Your humble purveyor Karl Clay Vetter.