Page 46 of Last Hope
Every customer was either holding their ears or staring at the T.V. with questioning eyes.
Suddenly, the static stopped and a live broadcast appeared before them. It was simply the face of a boy, no more than twelve. The sight of him had Isis gasping, struggling for breath.
“Citizens of Washington,” the dark skinned boy began. His voice was so familiar, so ancient, almost a distant memory of a time in Egypt, lost for so many years.
Isis felt the tears roll down her face as she stared up at a face, not unlike her own; the face of her younger brother.
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The shock of seeing him truly alive, talking and moving…had her heart ripped into shards in an instant. She fell to her knees in the middle of the shop, vaguely aware of Anya asking her if she was all right.
She wasn’t all right.
The world had fallen into an abyss; had been sucked into it. The background faded to black and Azizi’s face became so clear.
She remembered him as a human; he had been skinny with short dark hair. He had always been shirtless and barefoot. His face had been young, cheeks and eyes bright with adventure; he had been full of life. But now, he had hundreds of years of ancient wisdom etched onto his features, which were delicate with that special perfection that only vampires had. Smooth skin, a voice that lured its listener in like a siren. And eyes…they weren’t a dark color that mirrored her own. They were a bright, blood red and they seemed to be looking at her with menace.
“You do not know me,” Azizi continued in his young, mystical voice. “But I can assure you that you knew my Master.” The way he said ‘Master,’ it had been like a blessing more than like a curse. “And I can also guarantee that soon, you will know me as well.”
There was a hushed silence over the coffee shop. Everyone had stopped what they were doing to listen to Azizi with close attention.
“You see, I am continuing my Master Caesareon’s work: the work he started at the mall, turning humans into vampires.”
Shocked gasps rang throughout but Isis kept her eyes on the television screen. So it had been true. She hadn’t wanted to believe it, hadn’t wanted to believe Azizi was working for Caesareon of his own free will but the truth was right in front of her. Caesareon was dead; he couldn’t be controlling Azizi. But why would Azizi be doing this? What manipulations had Caesareon let shape the destiny of Azizi?
“I would like to consider myself a fair vampire. Thus, this warning to you all I have issued out. My attack will begin now, in theheartof the city, in the most populated part of town. I will let my troops loose and heed me when I say that noonewill make it out human.No onewill be able to stop me.”
Fear was tangible in the air around them. The menace rang clear and true. Azizi smiled, an evil and wicked smile.
“You will all now become what you once feared.”
And then the screen went black.
Azizi was gone.
Isis’s heart thundered a storm in her ears. Azizi was alive. Azizi was alive.Azizi was alive.
And he was going to turn everyone into vampires.
Just like Caesareon.
She had to stop him. Whatever it took. She had to go after him and talk to him, reason with him and convince him to stop. Did he know she was alive? Had he been the one to send Caesareon’s men after her? Had it been under his order that the whacky family had died?
The sudden horrifying thought shook her to her feet. She wobbled uneasily. Would she have to kill her younger brother? No, she shook her head violently. She wouldn’t slay her own brother. She would find him, talk to him, convince him no matter what, but she would not kill him.
She turned abruptly to Anya. She was staring at her with concern, opened her mouth to ask Isis if she was okay. But before she could ask, before she could do anything, Isis bolted from her spot and ran as fast as she could to her brother.
To Azizi.
* * *
Terrance watchedthe broadcast with cold rage.
It was Azizi; the little bastard that had put Savvy in a coma. The bastard that had nearly killed him and who had helped change countless others. He was threatening to change everyone, tonight.
Terrance didn’t have time to waste. He started barking out orders which were obeyed on command. The FBSI began strapping themselves in bulletproof vests, holstering their guns. Many of them, the shapechangers, stripped into nothing but their underwear and T-shirts in order to change quickly and efficiently.
Terrance had just finished holstering his weapon when Teddy came up to him. “You need to go get Victoria,” he said. Movement around them was bustling as everyone hurried so that they could go stop the psychopath.
