mind. And so Michael did not regret his decision to betray him.
Michael had his own interior monologue. He decided to see to it that this mission was successful. He chose not to tell Gabriel about this stop on their European tour. Whether Radu thought the coffer was insignificant or not, Michael knew better. He knew they could not allow the Crusaders to have all the knowledge of vampires, and also the blood to make them. This was not a power that could be given out. What his goal was—a life relaxing as a vampire—could not exist if the Crusaders had the ability to make vampires. Even if they did not plan to use it, they could once Radu exposed himself to the world.
It would be hell for years. Radu would wage a war against humans, enslaving them. Michael did not want this. Like Vlad, he felt it was better to let the humans go about their lives. They had made interesting toys to play with, and came up with ways to look more attractive. This was progress that Michael wanted to keep moving along. He fought this war longing for the day when he could just enjoy all these benefits and not have to worry about Radusons. This was why he stayed loyal to Vlad all these years. Most vampires stayed loyal to their master the way some people stay faithful to their religion—they are simply born into it. Michael was never like that. He was a believer of the Enlightenment—he had lived through it—he questioned everything and as a human was starting to embrace the idea of atheism before he was made a vampire.
It was not because simply Vlad was his master, but because Vlad’s endgame was a better idea than Radu’s plan if he won this war. Had he liked Radu’s agenda better, he would have changed sides years ago. But now everything has changed. Now Vlad had a different endgame. He wanted to be human, he wanted to die. Radu had won over Michael by default.
“Men, the flight from England should be landing soon,” Vlad said as he raised his wine glass. “Let us toast that we will all get back to LA, and this war will be over.”
The men met their glasses together. None of the four hesitated, not even Michael. However, as he sipped his wine he knew this toast was impossible. Either he or Vlad would not make it back alive.
TWO
1
T he flight from England landed. Peterson walked off the plane with his heart racing. The rest of the Crusaders were also on their way to The Caviar House themselves for drinks and waited to hear for when the ambush would be over. The six of them wanted to be involved with the mission, but they knew their job was to act like they didn’t know anything. They walked through the transit zone to the top floor and Peterson made his way toward customs. When he was next in line he texted Jericho, telling him where he was and that he should be up there in about ten minutes. Jericho texted back, telling him he would be waiting in the bathroom.
Peterson started to sweat, but he was able to keep it cool for the customs official as he showed him the half of the coffer he carried with him. The Border Guard didn’t think this man carried anything on him of value, just a really old book. He let him pass without a second thought.
2
J ericho and Vlad left Michael and Deacon at the bar and closed the tab incase they had to move fast. When they were alone Michael asked Deacon if he knew why Vlad really wanted the coffer so bad.
“Well, we can’t let anyone have possession of the Blood of the Betrayer,” Deacon said.
“True, but do you know about his intention with the Dark Bible?”
“No.” Deacon shook his head.
“There is a rite within it that allows us to give up our vampire powers.”
“Why would he want to do that?” Deacon said surprised.
Good response, Michael thought.
“He wants to become human again. Do you want to be a human again?” Michael asked him.
“Of course not, but we don’t have to.