Chapter 10

Dylan stood on the top floor of the casino, just outside a very exclusive nightclub in the heart of Melbourne. He was out celebrating Hax’s birthday, and started to feel lonely. In his 300 or so years of his life, he never really needed a girlfriend.  He felt the need for one was useless since they would never live as long as he would. All these thoughts changed when he met a stunning woman named Abby on the balcony he was standing on. The crimson streaks in her short black hair matched the crimson of her irises. Dylan knew they were just contact lenses, simple pieces of plastic for cosmetic enjoyment. They started to chat while watching the night sky fly around them.

‘So’ Dylan started ‘How long have you been in Melbourne for?’

‘Oh, I’m just here with my brother.’ Abby indicated to the 6’3 muscle man inside who was surrounded by girls. He wore a pair of military grade anti-flash wraparound sunglasses, even indoors.

‘So, he’s not your boyfriend?’ Dylan pretended to be drunk and “accidentally” let that slip out. One of the best things about humans is they always speak their mind when drunk. Abby started to giggle, and Dylan asked ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I wouldn’t sleep with that guy even if he wasn’t my brother.’ Abby replied ‘He’s a total tool, which makes all women want him more.’ She placed a hand on Dylan’s arm ‘Unlike you. You’re very sweet.’ Dylan couldn’t help it. He blushed redder than a ripe tomato.

‘So, do you like own everything in this state?’ Eve asked, sipping at her fruity colourful cocktail.

Alice laughed ‘No dear. We started off designing dresses, and opened the store near home. We became very happy with the stores progress, we decided that we needed somewhere for the lovely ladies who bought the dresses to show them off.’

‘I studied Architecture and Business design at school.’ Markov said ‘And I knew what I wanted the club to look like, but there was one problem. No matter how successful the dress store was, we didn’t have the start up capital to buy anything. We had to choose if we wanted to pay off a house, or buy the club.’

‘Oh no…’ Eve said.

‘Don’t worry’ Hax said. ‘That’s where I came in. Since I have lived the lives of 5 different men, I had some money stashed away. I loaned them the money about 6 years ago, and for one point in my life I owned a bar.’

‘So they payed you back?’ Eve said disappointed. ‘Aww, I want to own a bar.’

‘Yes. We paid old Haxathor back within the first year.’ Markov said.

‘I should have added to the contract “No referring to the party of Mr. Daemonia as Haxathor”’ Hax laughed.

‘Well, hopefully next time.’ Alice said, leaving her seat. ‘Would you like another refill guys?’

‘Of course.’ Hax said ‘Another single malt scotch.’

‘Umm… Are you going to be able to drive home?’ Eve asked.

‘Yes.’ Hax smiled, drunkenly.

‘Hax, if you stop teasing Eve, I will refrain from calling you Haxathor in public.’ Markov said.

Hax thought for a second, and said ‘Deal.’ He turned to Eve and said ‘Alcohol doesn’t affect us. I mean, by itself it doesn’t.’

‘What do you mean, “by itself”?’ Eve asked.

‘Intoxicated human’s blood. It’s like alcohol for gods.’

‘Do you….’ Eve started to get embarrassed ‘Do you want some of mine?’

Hax looked Eve in the eyes; he could see the determination in her eyes. ‘You really want to do that Eve?’

‘For you Hax,’ Eve said exposing the side of her neck ‘anything.’

Alice and Markov just sat there, their mouths agape. Hax leaned into Eve’s neck, slowly closing in on it. He brought his mouth up to her soft silky neck, and could smell her scent. His senses went wild, and he couldn’t hold back.

Eve closed her eyes, waiting for the sharp pain. She was afraid of what was going to happen, but wanted to do this for the man she loved. She was shocked when she felt a soft kiss on her neck. She opened her eyes, and looked at Hax.

‘I don’t need blood to know I feel good.’ Hax said. ‘Also, I could hear that you were scared.’

‘Hax,’ Alice chimed in ‘You don’t need to hear her heart beating to know she was afraid.’

Eve felt embarrassed. Hax looked at her and said ‘Eve, it wasn’t because you were afraid. It was because I was afraid.’

Everyone at the table was shocked. Hax never really showed his emotions, especially not fear.

‘No one at this table knows what I used to be.’

‘I do.’ Alice said.

‘Not first hand. Books didn’t come close to what I was. We used to kill for sport; we had the strength and agility to take what we wanted. We were monsters.’ Hax looked depressed again. He knew his words were the god awful truth. ‘And I’m afraid if I taste human blood again, I will become that same monster who used to eat people.’ Hax went silent after that. He didn’t know how Eve was going to take this. He turned to Eve to see her giving him a concerned look.

‘Ok.’ She said, looking away. ‘I have two things to say. One, with all this talk about blood drinking; Are you sure you are not a vampire, not a god?’

Hax looked at her face. Her look was still stern. ‘Yes Eve. I’m fairly sure I’m omnipotent. Vampires can’t do shit like I can.’

Eve giggled. She loved it when Hax talked tough. ‘Ok, now for the second part.’ She pulled in close to Hax’s face, and grabbed his left ear. ‘I didn’t fall in love with a monster, I fell in love with the man who opened up his heart and accepted me for who I am.’ And kissed him. ‘I think I want to go home now, honey.’

‘Awwww…’ Alice whined. ‘Really?’

Eve leaned over to Hax and whispered something into his ear. His eyes widened instantly.

‘I think it would be best to go home.’ He said, shooting a look to Markov.

‘But Hax?’ Alice said ‘We were supposed to celebrate your birthday.’

‘Alice.’ Markov said ‘Eve really seems tired. I think they need to go home now.’

‘Bro code?’ Alice shot looks between Hax and Markov.

‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ Hax said, but neither one of the boys could hide the massive grins they had.

Dylan was having a blast outside. He couldn’t believe this girl was actually interested in him. Abby spoke about how she loves writing poetry, and reading stories. Dylan spoke to her about his love for technology and his favourite television shows. He wished this night would never end, and he got the feeling she did too.

‘I am really enjoying this time we had together.’ Dylan said, looking deeply into her eyes.

‘Why does it have to end?’ Abby said, twirling her hair seductively. ‘How about you come to my place for coffee?’

Before he could answer, he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He turned to see Seth standing next to him.

‘Now who is this lovely lady?’ he said.

Dylan sighed and said ‘Seth, this is Abby. Abby, this is my annoying fraternal twin Seth.’

‘Hello Seth.’ She said, out stretching her hand. ‘I was just offering Dylan a cup of coffee back at my place.’

‘That sounds like a wonderful idea for Dylan.’ Seth said smiling slyly, kissing her hand softly. His right index finger twitched slightly as he stood back up straight. ‘But our brother and his girlfriend need to head off home, and Dylan here is the only one who can drive the car.’

Dylan looked Seth in the eyes, knowing something was up. ‘Don’t tell me he had too much tequila.’ He said, shaking his head.

‘Aww, do you really have to go now?’ Abby said.

‘I’m sorry Abby.’ Dylan said ‘But I can’t let my brother drive home drunk, and Seth here isn’t licensed.’ He kissed her softly on the cheek. ‘Maybe I can meet you again under better circumstances.’

‘yeah, I’d like that.’ Abby said with a disappointed smile.

After saying their goodbyes and thanks to Alice and Markov for such a wonderful night, Eve and Hax sat in the front seats, while Dylan and Seth sat in the back. The minute they were in the car, Dylan punched Seth in the arm.

‘What the fuck was that for?’ Seth said.

‘Why did you just cock block me?’ Dylan said. ‘What the fuck did you do to her?’

‘I did a quick mind flash to see what you would be getting into.’

‘and?’

‘Worse than I could have predicted.’ Seth placed a hand on Dylan’s head for a few seconds. Dylan’s face went from anger to utter shock.

‘what the fuck…?!?’ Dylan said.

‘What’s going on back there?’ Hax said from the front seat.

‘Nothing. Just telling Dylan his new girl was a man.’ Seth said.

Dylan looked at Seth and said ‘Why didn’t you…’

‘Let them enjoy the rest of the night. We can tell him tomorrow.’ Seth replied.

Dylan nodded. He didn’t want to worry Hax on such a perfect night.

On the other side of the CBD, in a small two bedroom apartment, Abby sat at her small round kitchen table. The apartment wasn’t much to look at; a TV, a small couch, a few odds and ends. It didn’t seem like a place such a beautiful woman would live, but she felt at home there. Abby held in her right hand a crystal glass filled with a thick red liquid. In the background, the small TV was switched on, but nobody watching it. Abby could hear muffled crying as she sipped at her drink. Tully sat down across from her, knowing his dear sister was feeling down.

‘What has you down dear sister of mine?’ he asked, taking off his sunglasses to reveal his crimson irises.

‘I don’t get it Tully.’ She said, sipping at her drink. ‘I had that poor sap. I made him feel infatuation with me and flirted with him. He was supposed to come home with me.’

‘Then what happened?’

‘I don’t fucking know! I had him in my clutches, and then he changes his mind when he hears his brother was in trouble.’

‘Maybe his fraternal instincts are strong.’

‘But that was the weird thing. Before I was greeted by his brother he wanted me, and after he has to run. And I swear that the little fucker flinched when he touched me.’ Abby’s stomach growled.

Tully stood up from the table, walked around and picked Abby up by her arms. ‘Come big sister. Let’s get you to bed. We can worry about this tomorrow.’ He picked up the remote and turned off the TV.

‘You’re a good brother.’ Abby said, pushing open the bedroom door. Inside sat two pretty blonde girls from the club, tied up and gagged on the bed, their muffled cries still able to make it through the gags. ‘Care to share your dinner with me?’

Tully walked into the bedroom and looked at his prizes from the night. ‘Of course my sister dearest. What’s family for?’

He slowly shut the door, and horrific screaming could be heard coming from the inside as well as the sound of bones snapping.

The green Nissan pulled into the garage a little after 1 AM. Hax, Dylan and Seth all stepped out, while Eve stayed curled up in the front passenger seat asleep. Hax opened up her door, and carefully carried her inside the house. After saying goodnight to his brothers, Hax made his way into his room and placed Eve gently onto the bed before locking the door.

‘Did you have fun tonight, Eve?’ he asked.

‘Did you have fun squeezing my butt again?’ Eve yawned.

Hax made his way to the bed, lying down next to Eve. ‘It’s not my fault it’s so squishy.’

‘I shall call it Squishy and it shall be mine and it shall be my Squishy’ Eve said, attaching herself to Hax.

‘Before we get down to business,’ Hax said, stroking her hair softly ‘I want to talk to you about something I saw in your mind.’

Hax turned his head sharply. He raised a finger to his lips, as he moved his right arm off the bed. A long thin trail of smoke shot past the bed and out under the door.  Eve heard a loud thud as something hit the floor outside Hax’s bedroom.

‘What was that?’ she asked, very scared.

‘That, my dear, was the sound of a dropping Seth with a broken neck.’ Hax said with a smile.

‘You broke his neck?’ Hax nodded ‘Is he dead?’

‘If breaking that son of a bitch’s neck was going to kill him, he wouldn’t be alive.’ Hax placed his arm around her again. ‘He just likes to eaves drop. GO AWAY SETH!’

‘Spoil sport.’ Came Seth’s voice from outside, followed by a massive cracking sound.

‘Now where was I?’ Hax thought for a moment ‘Oh yes, you had a dream.’

‘Well duh? I always have dreams.’

‘This one stuck out. And your subconscious told me to go look at it, which means you wanted me to see it, even if it was just for a second.’

‘So, what was this dream?’

Hax looked her in the eyes, and said. ‘We were getting married.’

Eve was flabbergasted. She remembered the dream; it was one she had while away from Hax.

It started off with her standing in a dark room in front of a mirror, when a door opened up, and from it came a warm shining light. She remembered following it to a lovely garden filled with roses and tulips. At the centre of the garden were Hax, Dylan and Seth; All wearing suits, and rows and rows of people who had no faces but cheered as she entered.

Stupid subconscious, she thought. ‘Yeah…’ she managed to say.

‘Well, that’s why I have been acting weird lately.’

‘Are you saying you don’t want to be with me?’ Eve looked away from him

‘Eve,’ Hax turned her face towards his ‘I never want you to leave me. I have serious feelings for you.’

‘So, what is it then?’

‘Eve, I don’t know if, after we both pass away, I can continue another life without you. After the loss of Claire, Seth went on a rampage and only recently started to act normally. I have no idea how my life would go.’

Eve stopped Hax there, giving him a massive kiss. ‘Hax, if I only get to spend 60 years with you, I want us to enjoy those 60 years. And I want you to remember every happy moment we had, so you can see not only what we had, but proof that you can be human. Now let me give you a proper birthday gift.’

‘Eve, just having you here is the best gift ever.’

‘Then I am about to prove you wrong.’

Eve climbed over Hax, and switched off the light switch, flashing Hax a massive grin before the room went dark.

‘Squishy…’

Dylan knocked on the study door, waiting for Hax to open it. It was only 8 am but Hax was usually the first one up. If he’s not in the kitchen brewing a coffee, he would usually be in his study. Dylan heard something fall down the stairs inside the study, and was greeted by a half dressed Haxathor. Luckily it was his lower half dressed. But something was up with him this morning, Hax wore a massive smile on his face. It really scared Dylan, A LOT.

‘Good morning dear brother.’ Hax said with a cheerful tone. ‘What can I do for you on this beautiful Sunday morning?’

‘Umm… Seth and I wanted to…’ Dylan stared at his brother. ‘Why are you so cheerful this morning?’

Hax just kept his massive smile, not needing to say a word. Dylan’s eyes widened. ‘You didn’t…? YOU DID!!!’ Hax nodded his head. Dylan embraced his brother. ‘327 years for you to lose your V-Plates. Dad would be proud and disappointed.’

Footsteps could be heard from the staircase, this time it was the main set outside the study. Seth stomped down that last few steps, still rubbing his neck.

‘you’re an absolute asshole, Hax.’ Seth said. ‘I couldn’t sleep right.’

Hax shook his head. ‘You were eavesdropping. But since I’m in such a good mood, I will give you one free shot.’

Seth looked at Hax, unsure. ‘No smoke body?’ Hax nodded ‘Fine.’

Seth pulled his arm back, knowing he would never get an opportunity like this. He wanted to make the most of this. He wondered why Hax was in such a mood that he wouldn’t mind getting punched to the face, so Seth went for a little mind diving.

Dylan and Hax watched as Seth dropped his arm. ‘You and Eve….?’ Seth said, turning around. ‘Dammit, I can’t punch my brother after he just lost his virginity.’

Thanks Seth.’ Hax said ‘You are acting—‘

Seth spun on his toes, building up momentum as he did, and landed a full palm slap on Hax’s left cheek. Hax immediately felt the sharp burning pain on his face. ‘Doesn’t mean I can’t slap you so hard, your children turn up ugly.’ Seth said. ‘I knew you were expecting a punch.’

Hax, Dylan and Seth sat around the kitchen table. Dylan and Seth needed to talk to Hax about last night, and the time before Eve woke would be the best time.

‘So,’ Hax asked  ‘What’s the big emergency?’

Seth placed a hand on Hax’s forehead and said ‘Watch this.’

It was the same feeling he had every time Hax entered Seth’s mind. Hax stood there, in a landscape he didn’t recognise. An alley way in the city, horrible screaming could be heard, but it was too dark to see who or what was happening. These were someone’s memories. All the same, becoming clearer each memory he saw. A girl around their age with black and red hair, and a tall guy with a shaved head were killing people. But the last memory shocked Hax the most. It was a girl from all the memories, talking to Dylan. Hax realised it was from last night, but the memory was dubbed with commentary.

Thoughts going through her mind at the time, Hax thought.

‘This is so easy.’ The voice said, but it didn’t sound like a girl. It didn’t even sound human. Hax recognised this voice, but couldn’t put his finger on it. ‘You my dear are going to be a wonderful dinner for me and brother dearest.’

Hax forced himself out and back into the present. Only a single word could escape his lips.

‘Abhoth…’

‘What did you just say Hax?’ Dylan said.

‘It’s Abhoth!’ Hax screamed. ‘And if she is here, that means--’

‘Tulzscha…’ Seth said.

‘Hax, that’s impossible. There is no way they could have passed the barrier. It’s too strong.’ Dylan said.

‘Think about it Dylan.’ Hax said, reverting back to the old language. ‘She is an empath, she could have made you feel that way. She has a brother around, Abhoth never goes anywhere without Tulzscha. She called him “BROTHER DEAREST”!!! Who the fuck do we know who calls their brother that!?!’

Dylan shook his head. He didn’t want to believe it, but it was true. And he almost fell for it. He almost fell for the innocent girl act.

‘Does that mean all the deaths and missing persons around the city…?’ Seth said.

‘Yes.’ Hax said ‘that night a month ago, where we all felt the pain, that’s when they must have broken through.’

‘Do you think they know who we are yet?’ Dylan asked.

‘Well, ask Seth.’ Hax said, turning towards his shorter brother. ‘Did you somehow alert her?’

‘No. I was careful, just a quick flash. Not even an Outer God could have sensed my presence in there.’ Seth said.

‘Well, we have to start training now. If they want to fuck with our family, I want us to be prepared.’ Hax turned to Dylan ‘I need you to hook Eve up with a nano-mech body suit; just something to stop her from being hurt.’ Dylan nodded, and headed for his workshop outside. Hax then turned to Seth. ‘And I need you to teach Eve to fight with martial arts. Anything you have; just make sure if worse comes to worse, she can fight off someone.’

‘Do you think she is ready?’ Seth asked.

‘Seth, we saw what she could do when pressured. I just want her safe.’

‘But what if we accidentally trigger the recessive Inquisitor gene? We could be all fucked.’

‘As I said, if she becomes a problem I will deal with it.’

Hax walked away from the table, only to be grabbed by Seth on the shoulder.

‘Can you really do it Hax?’ Seth said.

‘If someone has to do it, I want it done without pain. I am the only one capable of it.’ Hax replied.

‘Well, what are you going to do?’

‘Martial arts will only be viable if she has no weapons. I am going to arm her with the only weapon that can be called useful. A Gilded Dagger.’

Eve lay in the large bed all alone. She was contempt with the previous night, and she knows Hax did too. The bedroom door unlocked and Hax walked inside, obviously stressed out a lot. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and was embraced by a sheet covered Eve. She kissed him on the cheek.

‘Good morning honey’ she said.

‘Good morning my wonder.’ He replied.

‘What’s wrong?’

Hax turned to Eve and said ‘I need you to get dressed and meet me down stairs in my study.’

‘You’re inviting me into your study? I feel honoured.’

‘Eve, I appreciate everything you have done last night,’ this made Eve feel like some sort of whore ‘but right now is not a time for jokes. We have a situation, and right now my main concern is your safety. Now please get dressed.’

Hax walked over to the brown rug opposite the bed, and lifted it up. Rather than being a floppy rug made of carpet, it was a stiff board of wood covering a set of stairs down to the study. He walked down the stairs as Eve got dressed.

Eve followed Hax down the stairs to find him waiting for her in one of his large chairs. He motioned for her to sit as he walked over to the large silver chest; the same one that caused their original break-up.

‘Do you remember what I said about Outer gods?’ he asked, placing the chest onto the coffee table in front of Eve. She nodded silently, her mind racing. ‘Cold blooded killers, ruthless. They are the real monsters of this world. They are lead by a creature called Azathoth, a bastard of a god who was banished. He created these hybrids out of his own flesh, and made them cold blooded killers. After Lovecraft’s death 80 years ago, the three of us created a barrier to prevent Azathoth sending any of them through.’

‘Yeah? But what does this have to do with the end of us all?’

‘The night I passed out, two of them broke through the barrier and entered our world.’ Hax opened the chest, and started to rifle through it. ‘They are known as Abhoth and Tulzscha, brother and sister and made from the worst part of Azathoth. Abhoth is an empath, so she can make you feel what she wants you to. She is a horrible thing, tortures people for the hell of it. She strikes fear into others, not by using her powers, but from the acts she has committed. Her brother, Tulzscha, is a shape shifter. No-one can remember his true form because he hates it so.’ Hax finally found what he needed, a small black box, around the size of a VHS tape.

‘So you think they will come after me?’ Eve was very afraid.

‘Most likely, but we won’t let you go out unprotected.’ Hax tried to comfort Eve, but he could sense her fear. ‘Dylan is designing a body suit that can withstand the force of a god. Seth will train you in different fighting styles for hand to hand combat. And I will teach you to use this.’

Hax handed Eve the small black box. It was made out of a deep black mahogany on the outside. She opened the box’s lid. The inside was made of a smooth red velvet, and held a very elegant item. It was a dagger, around 12 inches from tip to butt. It had a gold handle encrusted with jewels, and the blade was engraved with different symbols that Eve has never even seen before.

‘This is called a Gilded Dagger, and it’s the only thing that can kill me.’