Chapter 8

Part 34. Lets have Lunch.

“This is the women’s dorm, you should not be here.” Serena said in a quiet tone as the tall German sat down at the table. It was Saturday, lunchtime. None of the other women in the dining area seemed to pay any attention to the intruder.

“How was last night?” Emma asked, noticing that Helt was still in the same set of clothes.

“We can talk outside, if you like.” He suggested.

Having just sat down to eat, neither woman wanted to abandon the table just yet. “Did something important happen last night?” the small Filipino asked.

“There was some trouble. Id like your help to, ah, clear up a mystery.” He explained in a rather indirect way.

Serena looked at her roommate, Emma clearly knew a bit more about what was going on than she did. “Fine, but someone must tell me what actually happened.”

“Our boy Helt can really dance.” the American blond said with a huge grin. This information did not help Serena understand what was going on. It did annoy her, just a little bit.

Emma gave a quick explanation of last night’s events, as she had seen them, with some exaggeration. Helt kept a neutral expression, even when correcting some of the more off track comments. “There was no smooching on the dance floor.” Serena listened, with a fixed ‘I have no reason to be jealous’ expression on her face.

“What happened when you went outside?” She asked as Emma’s part of the story came to its end.

“The crazy cat lady tried to kill me.” He answered without a smile.

“Oh, that is nice.” Serena said sweetly, actually relieved things had gone in that direction.

Emma could hardly hold back her laughter.

“That is not the problem.” Helt said calmly. “I suspect she is working for someone, they and their motive are a mystery, that is the problem I need some help with.”

“If she really tried too kill you, you should report this to the Security department.” Serena said with the voice of reason.

Both Helt and Emma rolled their eyes at the idea.

“Gettin the cops involved is the last thing ya wanna do.” the American said with the voice of experience.

“Well then, how do you want us to help you?” Serena asked.

“Find out what you can about this woman, Natilla. She is a second year student here. Also find out about her friends, Iv no idea who they are.” Helt outlined the objectives, then gave his opinion “I expect they are watching me and by extent you too. So you should take care but dont worry about being subtle.

Serena looked a bit worried, how dangerous was this? But she never considered refusing to help.

Emma looked enthusiastic. “Yea, secret mission time.”

Part 35. You have mail.

When Helt returned to his room, he found a letter had been slipped under the door. It was a formal challenge to a duel, tomorrow at high noon, on the hill behind the amphitheater. For the insults and unwanted sexual advances he had made against Natilla Del Catarri. A professor would act as overseer. He was invited to bring a witness or two.

He could refuse, but doing so would socially if not legally confirm that everything the cat lady claimed was true. Failure to duel was an admission of guilt in this setting. Victory did not mean one was right but standing to fight did matter a lot in terms of reputation. So she would get her rematch. A chance to kill him, in a fair fight. More importantly perhaps, whoever was in the shadows would have another chance to evaluate him. In that past this would have been an easy opportunity for Helt to spot the enemy. But thanks to modern technology, phones that all had video cameras in them, the mastermind could stay hidden and have others record the fight for him.

The German, looked to the sword that stood near his bed. How should he go into this fight? “Never let your enemy or your friends know all your strengths and weaknesses.” his master had said many times. “Know yourself and your enemy, while keeping yourself concealed from your enemy.” that was a line from Sun Sue.

One thing was for sure, if he was going to take the fight seriously Helt would need a drink before battle.

Meanwhile

Serena started her investigation by looking at the Girl’s Dorm Directory. It listed all the resident students and their room numbers. Natilla was in room 213, along with Hellen Bevnick. Of course student files were not available anyplace. So her next step was a visit to the Library to access the internet and its endless information.

Emma took a more interactive approach. Gossip. She talked to lots of people that afternoon, in the dorm, outside on the Green, and at the cafe. “Hay did yall hear about what happened at the Cave last night? ... that Natilla chick got into a fight with the gothy German guy. Whats up with her anyway?”

A lot of people had no clue. Some knew that she was often involved in that sort of thing. Others offered wild ideas, like that she was part of a secret witch club what seduced men and did terrible things to them. The most reliable info actually came from a member of the Human Protection Brotherhood. “Be careful around that one, she is dangerous. She picks fights and plays rough. So far she has not killed anyone, not here anyhow. Iv looked her in the eye and I can see the blood lust. She will go over the edge sooner or later.”

Part 36. the question

Helt met Serena as she walked out of the library. “Good afternoon. I have a question for you.”

She gave a small smile “Ok, you look more serious than usual, if that is possible. What is it?”

“You recall what I said about blood being the best source of power?” he asked quietly.

This caught her off guard, so she gave a small nervous laugh. “Yes, I do. Lets walk as we talk?” she suggested.

“Iv been challenged to a duel by the cat lady. I will need some blood before the fight, to be sure of victory. I would like it to be yours.” the tall German said each sentence with calm assured honesty. He would fight. He would get blood. He would like it if he could bite Serena.

The small Filipino was confused by a mix of emotions. She liked him and wanted to help, but she did not entirely trust Helt yet. She was curious about the spooky vampire side of him. Some of it was foolish romance pop culture, but also there was the real charisma of him. “Are you asking permission to bite me?” she said after a long few moments of silence.

“Yes.” he said it with out hesitation or explanation.

She spoke out loud as she turned the idea over in her mind, “You need the extra strength, you must think the fight maybe a tough one. That's logical enough. But why me?” She wanted to hear a certain answer, although she did not admit it.

“You may feel insulted if I go and bite someone else. So I ask you first. And I think you will be delicious.” he mixed a serious answer with humour.

Serena took a deep breath. Instinct told her to say ‘that it would not bother her at all’ but if she was honest with herself, she would have to admit that it would annoy her and that it was kind of sweet how he was coming to ask her, in a bizarre sort of way. “Thank you for asking.” she said in a measured neutral tone. “I do have a few questions before I agree.”

“Will it hurt? How much blood do you need? Will I pass out or be left weak as a fish out of water? Will tit turn me into your slave, or somehow link our minds together?” she asked her questions in rapid fire.

“I can make sure it feels very nice. I will take about the same amount as they do at a blood donor clinic. You may feel a bit shaky but that will pass quickly. And, no. The enthrallment thing requires 3 bites over 3 nights. Anyhow i never learned to do that.” he explained as they continued to walk.

The small Filipino could not help felling worried and excited as they talked about this strange subject so calmly. She had accepted the idea of going through with it, now it was just questioning the details. “You are not using some creature of the night mind trick on me now are you ?” she asked half joking half serious.

He looked her in the eye and said “Not today.”

She smiled in reply. Somehow that kind of cryptic answer felt better than a strait ‘no i would never do that’. It felt like Helt was being true in his own strange way.

Part 37. the answer

The small Filipino and the tall German had been walking as they talked, now they stood near the north gate. Like all the gates at the University it was more symbolic than functional, a large stone archway with decorative carvings.

Serena felt like she was out on a first date, wondering how the kiss would be. She told herself it was a foolish feeling, this was not a date and they were not talking about a kiss. Did it mean something more or less than a kiss?

Helt respected her silence for a while. Not being one who had to fill every moment with chatter. He stayed in step with her, walking close but not quite touching. The small patch of trees near the gate offered a nice place to finish their talk.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?” he asked.

She looked up at him, into his eyes but made no response right away.

Helt put his arm around her, drawing her a bit closer. “Dont over think it. Just ask the question that burns in your brain.”

She put her hands on his hips, not yet knowing if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer. “Do you have feelings for me, or am I just an exotic snack?” she asked.

“You interest me and impress me. Its like Iv known you forever, yet I want to discover more about you.” he replied.

“That is an over complicated answer.” she laughed. “But it is very much you, isn't it.”

He returned her smile and looked into her soul and said “Yes.”

“Ok. But before I become your snack food, you will have to kiss me.” she said sweetly.

“As you wish. I would not want to eat you until you are happy and willing for me to do so.” he said the words as he slowly moved his mouth closer to her. The double meaning sent a shiver down her spine a warmth her body craved to have grow.

“Just be careful with those teeth.” she whispered.

They kissed.

Vampire and Mermaid, embracing next to the stream, under the shade of the old trees.

Part 39. What do you know?

Saturday evening the three met at the library, in one of the many second floor study nooks. Emma was instantly suspicious. The way her roommate was sitting closer than usual to the tall German, the way she was smiling. Something was up.

“What have you discovered?” Helt asked, getting right down to business.

“Not a lot.” Serena admitted, “Natilla has all the normal social media accounts. She posts a lot about wolves, not cats. She likes heavy metal music. She makes fun of ‘gangstas and thug life’. She is generally rude. The photos she posts are mostly of herself looking slutty. No solid info on where she lives or about her family.”

Helt kept a neutral expression “Thank you.” he said.

Emma wanted to ask ‘what was going on?’ She could tell by the body language. But she played along and acted all businesslike. “Aside from a dozen people warning me that cat lady is crazy, and a few hints that she may have killed people before she came to the University, I done found out who she hangs with. A couple of geeks from the science department. Seems she has them wrapped around her finger. But more important than that is her bestie, John Vellenzo. They came here at the same time. Word is, he is a slick dude, got himself into Alfa Alpha this year. He is Spanish or somthin.” The American blond explained in her best ‘I like gossip’ voice.

Helt looked thoughtful, “Vellenzo, that rings a bell. I knew a Vellenzoll once. If John is related that would explain much.”

Serena gave him a second then asked “Care to explain it for the rest of the class?”

“Vellenzoll was a Columbia drug lord, I killed him and burned down his house. So revenge would be a reasonable motive for any surviving family members.” the casual way he said it left both Emma and Serena wide eyed.

Part 40. Surprised by that ?

Serena’s mind was swimming in mixed emotions. She was shocked at the casual way Helt talked about killing the drug dealer. The man who was so sweet and understanding this afternoon was also so cold. It should not have come as a surprise. He was a vampire, not a puppy dog. Was she upset at him or at herself for being so unsettled?

Emma on the other hand was surprised but in a more curious way. She wanted to know all about it, like a typical American enjoying a messy adventure story. She did not seem bothered at all by the violence of what the tall German had to tell.

“It was 20 years ago, over in Columbia. Her name was Rossa, the daughter of the hotel owner where I was staying. I liked her a great deal.” Helt kept his account brief, ignoring most of Emma’s demands for more details. “There was trouble. I tried to help her and her family, but that only made them targets for Vellenzoll. He wanted to make an example of them, a reminder that no one sould cross him. He tortured and killed Rossa, while I was away. So I destroyed him. Killed his goons and guards, ripped him apart then burned down his house and the fields. I guess some of his family could have survived, I was not thorough in my search.” He did not try to make it dramatic, did not give justification for the actions. It was just a set of facts.

“Boy, we gotta work on your tail telling skills.” the American blond said when he was done.

Serena said nothing, felling sad for Helt’s loss.

“Anyhow, what is up between you tow?” Emma asked

Serena lost in thought almost missed the question, but Helt’s reply brought her back to the present.

“Iv discovered the most wonderful taste in the world and I don't know how I will be able to eat anyone else again.”

“Whaaaat?” the American drawled in amused surprise.

“Don't say it like that.” the small Filipino snapped.

“Oh was I being rude?” the German smiled “I mean to say, we took our friendship to the next appropriate level.”

“Right, right,” Emma laughed “Just as I thought, you two was doing it.”

“Oh my, you made it sound even worse.” Serena glared at her roommate.