Page 49 of Good Vampires Go to Heaven

“Thank God! A helmet would probably chafe my bald head. Oh, and I’ve been practicing dance steps to the Michael song.”

Regina smiled at that.

The vangels had a fondness for the movie Michael in which John Travolta played a rather unflattering, cigarette-smoking Michael the Archangel. In particular, they’d learned the dance Travolta did in that movie to the song with the lyrics “chains, chains, chains.” It was a sight to see when the seven brothers did their unchoreographed version.

“I’d like to see that.”

“I’m not ready for prime time,” he said. “Anyhow, that’s about it for practicing Viking, or vangel. I’m open to other suggestions.”

She rolled her eyes. “You got the ‘dumb as a Norseman’ down pat.”

“See.” He winked at her.

“Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Wink.”

“Why?”

“You have such long eyelashes.”

“And . . . ?”

“Your wink gives me flutters.”

Zeb had no time to ponder that amazing revelation because the young vangel Armod came moonwalking into the kitchen, wearing a red jacket and short black pants that exposed his white socks. Zeb knew from previous visits that the boy fashioned himself Michael Jackson reincarnated. He must have healed from the Lucipire bite he’d gotten last year on a Montana ranch where ISIS terrorists and Lucipires were engaged in some devilment. The poison of a Lucipire bite was normally fatal, even for a vangel. “The boss wants you,” Armod said.

By “boss,” he assumed that Armod meant Vikar, and not the musician, which wouldn’t have been a stretch with the young music addict.

When Zeb entered the dining room, he saw that all of the brothers were there, even though Sigurd and Ivak and their families and vangels were staying on Grand Key Island. They must have left them behind to come here. In addition, there was Karl Mortenssen, two other higher level vangels, Svein and Jogeir, as well as Trond’s wife, Nicole; and Harek’s wife, Camille; who were female SEALs. The five or so others he did not know.

“Michael will be here this afternoon,” Vikar said.

And Zeb’s heart dropped. That would be a life-changing moment for him.

“But in the meantime,” Vikar continued, staring directly at Zeb, “we would like your input on some of our plans.” Vikar motioned Zeb to enter the room where maps and charts covered every surface of the long table and all the walls. Harek sat before a high-tech computer that looked as if it could do everything except fly a jet, or maybe even that.

“So, you have decided to trust me,” Zeb stated. It was not a question.

“Somewhat. We took a vote,” Vikar responded. In fact, a few of the vangels stared at Zeb with outright hostility, and he could guess how those vangels had voted. Clearly, it had not been a unanimous decision. Somehow aware of Zeb’s conclusion, Vikar added, “You had advocates speaking on your behalf.”

“I did?”

Vikar nodded. “Trond and Cnut. And Regina, earlier today.”

Zeb glanced to his side where Regina stood, apparently staying for the meeting. She ignored his gaze and stared straight ahead. So, I have one more thing to thank her for. Zeb did not like being beholden to a woman, to anyone, really. And he did not like the bond that seemed to be growing between them. Happily-ever-afters had died for him with his wife’s passing. And he hadn’t totally put aside the priest idea.

“Let’s start here,” Cnut said, motioning for Zeb to come to the middle of the table. “How does this look? It’s a map showing the various command centers for the Lucipires and their haakai leaders.”

Zeb took one look and shook his head. “Out of date.” He picked up a marker and showed them the changes. “Heinrich is in Siberia at Desolation, which had been Yakov’s headquarters. Hector is still in Rome under the Vatican at Terror. Yakov took over my old territory in the Greek volcanic caves called Gloom. Ganbold the Mongol took over Haroun’s old stomping grounds in the Arab lands. Red Tess the Pirate, a new addition, handles the northern United States, from Maine to Washington State, up to and including Canada. I have no idea if Jasper replaced me in the southern United States yet. I was assigned last year to a territory running from Virginia to California and Nevada. I can’t imagine that he hasn’t. Or even added more commanders with all the extra demons you say have come in. Oh, I can’t forget. Jasper still maintains Horror, his castle in the north.”

Everyone in the room gathered around to view the changes. While they did, Zeb gave them background information on each of the Lucipire commanders, past and present.

“Was once a Silk Road merchant active in the slave trade . . .”

“She loved snakes, so much that . . .”