Chapter 23:

Nick watched Lisa with a child’s amazement as she shoved a varied display of wooden and silver stakes into the straps of her leather jacket. His curiosity convinced him to pick up a small bottle of a yellowish-gold liquid labeled, ‘Garlic Acid.’ He was about to open the bottle when Lisa jerked it from his fingers.

"You don’t wanna mess with this stuff Nicky, it will burn your eyes, nose and if it gets on your skin, it eats it away like acid." She informed, collecting the other two bottles as well and shoveling them into the inside pocket of her coat.

"Yew, I bet that kinda hurts." He frowned, listening to her laughter fill the room.

"Don’t worry, I won’t let it get on you."

***~~**~~***

Everyone sat in the decorative living room, awaiting Nick and Lisa, and Howie. Howie joined them first, walking in the front door and straight to the living room. Nick and Lisa trudged down the stair case moments later, holding hands tightly.

"Well, people, are we ready to go?" Kevin asked, rising from the chair he had been reclining in. Everyone slowly rose and headed for the door.

"Baby, I want you to stay here. I don’t want there to be any chance of you getting hurt." Brian insisted, hugging Stephanie’s body to his. She shook her head and frowned.

"But, what if something happens to you and…" He silenced her with a kiss on the forehead.

"I promise I’ll come back to you and everything will be alright. But I would die if anything harmed you. So stay here where it’s safe. Lock the door after us and don’t let anyone in until after daylight." Brian requested firmly, looking right into her eyes. He could see the faint fear in her eyes and kissed her softly. "As soon as I get back I promise, we’ll watch the sun rise together. Just you and me."

Stephanie hugged him tightly and whispered to him, "Be careful. Please. Come back to me safe."

Brian nodded and pulled away, kissing her one last time before following the others. Lisa handed her a small spray can that looked like pepper spray.

"This is garlic acid, it may not kill a vampire but it sure as hell will stop them in their tracks. It won’t hurt you, but it burns a vampire’s flesh and eyes. This is a pretty good protection. Just in case anything tries to get in. Do like Brian said and don’t open the door to anyone until sunrise. Okay?" Lisa said, hugging her friend as well. Stephanie nodded and watched each person leave into the blackness of night.

Kevin was the last to leave, kissing her hand softly. "I made sure every door was locked, but a vampire that doesn’t live here can’t get in unless it’s invited. Be very cautious. We’ll be back, that is my oath to you. I will make sure Brian gets back to you."

"Thank you Kevin." She smiled softly, still worried immensely. He kissed her hand lightly again and left the house shutting the door behind him. Stephanie did as she was told and locked the door securely. Only then did apprehension set in.

***~~**~~***

The group of seven walked through the black alley behind the building where Pearlman’s supposed resting place was. They filed into the building Lisa first to allow them entrance. Everyone knew the plan but now was the time to find what was really going to happen. They traveled through the pitch black of the basement, ascending the staircase to the business offices above. Kevin led the way through the maze of hallways to the master office, noticing light from under the doors. Kevin and Nick stepped out in front and suddenly kicked the door off its hinges.

The stocky man sat at the desk, not amused by the sudden burst in. He shoved his secretary’s lifeless body from the desk and rose. Lisa took her stance between Nick and Kevin while Brian and Howie stood to the back. Aj and Theresa waited in the dark hall out of sight, waiting.

"Hello, boys. Let me guess. This is the little slayer? Not very brave it seems. Does she require you men to be her body guards?" Pearlman taunted, waiting to get a rise from her, hoping she’s attack.

"I need no protection. They’re here because we want you dead." Lisa replied, ready to challenge the powerful vampire.

"No, you need them because you’re scared. Scared you can’t do this. Why lie about it to me, I can see inside that empty little head of yours. And the two hiding in the hall, Alexander and his new mate, please do join the party." Pearlman sneered, watching the other man and a little blond enter.

Lisa almost charged then, but was stopped by Kevin. "We are here to kill you. To regain our freedom from you. And if it’s a fight to the death, so be it."

Kevin’s tone was aggressive and menacing, coldly calm. Pearlman smirked at him and then towards Lisa.

"Well, Kevin, can you honestly stand there and say you can watch your daughter die? Because you know how easily I can kill her. I may not be able to kill you so easily but you will walk out of here childless." He threatened, watching the emerald flame behind Kevin’s eyes grow.

Lisa suddenly began her onslaught, swinging her leg around towards his head, strong enough to break any normal human’s neck. But Pearlman was prepared, gripping her leg tightly and flipping her over onto her back. He almost broke her leg when Nick suddenly joined with fierce punches. Pearlman lost thought of Lisa as he grasped Nick by the throat and threw him towards the wall displaying golden records and memorabilia. While he was detained, Lisa leaped to her feet and attacked his back, stabbing a wooden stake into his shoulder. Pearlman effortlessly flung her off, like a giant bear, sending her over the desk. Kevin, Howie, Brian, and Aj joined in, each being thrown in a different direction. Pearlman clutched Brian’s throat, noticing the sudden picture in Brian’s mind.

"Oh, what’s the matter Brian? Worried about you whore at home… Don’t worry, I’ll have her join us soon. Go get her Dearest." Pearlman gazed at Theresa and she nodded obediently, running at lightening speed from the room. Everyone was shocked at Theresa sudden loyalty change and quickly fought with more strength.

***~~**~~***

Stephanie stared at the clock again, sighing loudly and petting Ty softly. It was nearly day break and they had yet to return. A harsh knocking at the door stirred her from her thoughts. She hurried to the door, holding her garlic spray tightly, and looked out the peep hole. Theresa stared back at her with a pained look. Stephanie unlocked and opened the door without thinking.

"God Theresa what happened?" She started, only to have Theresa grab her hand and pulled her out the door.

"We gotta go." Was all Theresa said, tugging Stephanie all the way back to the building.

***~~**~~***

Lisa crawled over to where Nick laid and helped him up. They had been fighting brutally, losing to one man. One vampire. Suddenly a hand wound in her hair and pulled her up.

"You scared yet, Slayer Bitch?" Pearlman’s voice hissed in her ear. She quickly elbowed him in the nose and jerked away.

"Nope." She answered simply, reaching into her pocket for her acid. But there was nothing. Pearlman laughed and dangled the bottle between his pudgy fingers.

"Lost something?" He didn’t wait for a reply just smashed the bottle to the floor right near Nick. Lisa watched in horror as Nick choked on the odor and shut his eyes tightly to block out the burning in his eyes.

Theresa suddenly entered the room, flinging Stephanie in behind her. Brian rushed to save his girlfriend but was halted when Theresa threw Stephanie towards Pearlman, giggling softly.

"Well, well, well, is this your little woman Brian. Very pretty." Pearlman smirked, caressing Stephanie’s cheek like a lover. She jerked away, but only managed to make him enraged even more.

"Now Steph." Theresa’s voice shouted behind her, reminding her of the spray she still held. Immediately she sprayed Pearlman’s face, causing sickening sizzling sound of flesh being eaten away. Pearlman still didn’t release her just blindly jerked her behind his desk, searching for something. The silver of the long dagger glinted brilliantly in the light. Pearlman’s grotesque lips formed a smirk, revealing his sharp incisors as he plunged the blade into Stephanie’s stomach and dragged it across. Stephanie screamed in pain as the blood ran down her white chemise, staining it deep maroon.

"No!" Brian screamed, trying to rush forward but Kevin stopped him. Pearlman carefully laid Stephanie’s dying body onto his oak desk, like a trophy of sorts. To taunt Brian further, he ran his finger over the blood stained blade and tasted it.

"Blood of your mate, and child. Delicious, you really must try some…" He flung the dagger towards Brian. Brian caught the knife mid-air and charged the nearly blind vampire. Filled with rage, he swung the blade around, decapitating Pearlman in one smooth slice.

Theresa and the other guys rushed to see if Stephanie was alright, trying to ignore the pain manifesting in their beings. Lisa helped Nick stand and walk to Stephanie’s side. Brian dropped the weapon and hurried to his lover’s side.

"God, I’m so sorry I let this happen to you. You should have never been involved in this. I’m sorry." He cried into her hair, kissing her slightly pale cheek.

"Don’t blame yourself, Brian," she managed to whisper, "I agreed to help and I knew what I was doing. Please hold me."

Brian didn’t hesitate to climb onto the desk and hug her to him. Kevin was looking over her wound and shook his head to everyone.

"She won’t make it. She’s lost too much blood as it is." He explained softly, taking her hand in his. Stephanie looked up at him and smiled softly, showing she forgave him of everything.

Brian began to sob as she stroked his hair softly. "Please don’t leave me, Baby Girl. I can’t live without you. Please stay with me."

"I’ll never leave you, my love. I’m always with you." She smiled at him wiping his salty tears away. She looked over his head at the beautiful sight of the rising sun. "Brian, look. We get to see the sun rise together, like you promise. I love you, Brian. Don’t forget that."

Brian turned to look at a sight he hadn’t seen in eighty years. "I love you too, Stephanie. I gonna love you forever." He stared at her again and noticed her eyes were closed and a small smile on her lips. He kissed her one last time. "Forever."

I Wanna Love You Forever
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