Right on time the twins came. I’ve no idea how they managed to get in without even my knowing, but get in they did. I didn’t even notice them until Jacob helped himself to a seat, with his twin sister standing ominously beside him. When Sara and Becca saw our guests they quickly made their way behind me and as far away from the two as possible. Some part of their brain must have keyed in that these are two are predators. Then again, basically everything non-human in the Sprawl’s a predator.

I just hoped that it wasn’t a mistake to stay home with the girls, but if these guys could keep a track of me wherever I went then they could do the same for Becca and Sara. They were probably more safe with me then they would be by themselves.

After calming the girls I studied the two intruders in more detail, and I can say that they are definitely Vladimir’s children. Jacob had his lean, angular features but was about half his size, he was clean shaven, unlike his father, and had his midnight black hair neatly combed to the side. He wore casual clothes that hid his body structure pretty well, and I had no doubt in my mind that there were a variety of weapons hidden beneath his baggy clothes.

Next to him was a silent Sable. I knew that they couldn’t be identical twins, given that they’re of the opposite gender, but they were damned near close to being identical. Aside from longer hair, some hips, boobs and makeup, Sable could be a carbon clone of Jacob. Unlike her brother, Sable was wearing tight, black biker’s leathers and she did nothing to hide the two brutal looking short swords hanging by her side.

“Jacob and Sable, I presume?” I said, greeting our guests.

“Indeed, Mr. Mark Bastion, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. It is a likewise a pleasure to meet your company; Miss Rebecca White, Miss Sara Robinson.” Jacob answered, giving all of us a polite nod while smiling, “Please excuse my sister for her silence, she is not a people person.”

I glanced at Sable and saw that she remained there like a statue, heck, she didn’t even blink once since she got in.

“I can assume you understand why I asked to seek an audience?”

“Ah, about the earlier… meeting with our underlings.” he continued, frowning, “Please understand that it was not our intention to cause you any harm.”

“Wait, what happened earlier, boss?” Becca said, cutting in.

“Oh, just an assassination attempt on me.” I shrugged, “Don’t worry about it.”

“A what?! Why didn‘t you tell-”

I gestured to Becca that now was not the time to make such a fuss, and with the help of the more composed Sara, my secretary managed to calm down a few notches.

I ignored the girl’s stares of disbelief and continued to address Jacob, “If it were not your intention then care to explain why I was attacked by four of your people.”

“That was under the orders of Vladimir.”

“So he still has the power to do that?”

“Oh,” Jacob said, slightly taken a back, “you know of our political standings I see. Not very many do.”

I nodded.

“But yes, our father still holds the title of Ruler and with it the privileges that come with it. However, he has become weak since the revolution, and from his weakness he has become paranoid and delusional. He saw your earlier actions as a challenge to his pathetic pride, and sent our people after you. He is no longer the wise and powerful Lord of the Night, but rather a weak excuse of a man who hides under his title, and that is another reason why I am here to see you.”

I raised an eyebrow and said, “And that is?”

“I wish for you to assassinate my father, Lord Vladimir.”

“I see…” I can’t say that I was all that surprised that the twins would want to get rid of their old man, power does tend to corrupt, even when it comes to blood ties, but why he would ask me to do it is what got to me. I guess this is what I'm supposed to help them with.

“Why do you want me to do it?”

“As you may know,” he said, “we Children of the Night are unable to harm our progenitors, and since Vladimir is the sire of the entire race, none of us can directly touch him, nor do we wish to ask one of the other courts and spark another revolution. Thus, our only solution is to seek the assistance of a third party.”

“I know all this, but why me? I’m already busy with my own issues, and surely there are better candidates for your ploys, given Vladimir’s diminished state. I have no incentives to accept your request.”

Well, that was a lie. I was going to help them either way, but a little greed never hurt anyone. Or at least it's never done me any troubles. However, their actual request made me a little worried. I still didn’t like the idea of getting rid of the last remaining founder of the Sprawl, and call me paranoid but I had an irking feeling that I’m not seeing the complete picture, but I couldn’t see any reason as to refuse the request. Reluctantly I agreed to the request.

“Good,” Jacob said, sounding as if he knew what my response would have been all along, “you will find Vladimir in his chambers inside his castle - I was told that you know of the location - and it shall be there that you will do your task.”

“So I’m to go at him at his stronghold? There has got to be a better location.”

“Unfortunately there isn’t. He rarely exits his home unless he has official errands to attend, and even those are rare to come by. Even if he leaves he will be guarded by Igor, so the best bet is to take the battle to where he is, but I warn you, although he is weakened, he is still a formidable opponent even for the most ready of foes.”

“Anything else I should note?”

“He will be guarded by those still loyal to him, as well as an assembly of traps he has set up after in recent years. We shall assist you in taking out his guards and we have already disarmed the majority of his static defences, but his inner quarters are untouched as they are off limits even to us. And given our blood ties, we will be unable to assist you completely when you face the Lord himself. If all things go well, this will be an easy exercise.”

“Wonderful, just give me some time to prepare.” I muttered.

“Of course, Mr. Bastion, when you are ready go to a bar called the Red Baron located just outside Vladimir’s stronghold and simply ask for us there. We shall commence the assassination then.”

I took the time to look at Sara and Becca, and saw that they obviously didn't like the idea of me going off on some dangerous mission like this, but I was more afraid for their sake then mine. They would probably be safe in here in the Sprawl, and since no one knows about Becca or Sara's true nature, they should be fine being left alone. However, just to be safe I asked Jacob (without the girls hearing) to send some people to watch over them while I was away.

He gave me a quick nod as response and seeing that I had nothing else to say the man and his sister vanished right before my eyes, disappearing without so much as a single sound. I just hope that Vladimir couldn’t pull that kind of trick.

“Boss...” Becca said shortly after the twins left, “Are you sure you're down with this plan? I mean, I know you've kicked some major ass before, but going after a fucking vampire in his own castle without any help is kinda dumb.”

“Well, Sable and Jacob said they'd help.”

“Yeah, well, they're also vampires themselves. I wouldn't fucking trust them. I should come alone, boss!”

“Becca, no.”

“Why not?” She said, surprised that I actually declined her request, “I can take care of myself!”

“I know, Becca.” I said, shaking my head, “But this is something that was intrusted to me, and I need someone to take care of Sara.”

“Ugh! Fine! Just don't fucking get hurt or anything!”

* * *

I knew that Vladimir’s castle was at the heart of the vampire district on the far east of the Sprawl. The walk itself was pretty short, but I took my time. By the time I could see the outlines of Vladimir’s castle I asked around for the place Jacob told me about, and it didn’t take long for someone to tell me where to find the place. I guess this “Red Baron” was more popular than I thought.

Although I said that I needed time to prepare, I didn’t actually buy anything. It’s more like I really didn’t need much it so much as me being unable to find the materials. Although the things that modern day people would associate with vampire hunting, like wooden stakes and holy water, are effective to a certain degree, the sword cloaked to my side is far more useful; nothing beats a good old decapitation, as I always say. Hell, I originally used the excuse of prep time in order to talk things over with Becca, but seeing how badly that ended I decided to just sit around for a few hours, enjoying the local food and culture, before making my way inside the bar. Or at least I tried.

Just as I expected, the interior of the Red Baron was bustling with activity given that it was during the middle of dinner time. There were tables upon tables of patrons guzzling beer, guzzling a red liquid that I could only assume to be blood given the location, and an whole assortment of food. It was almost kind of surreal given all of the different things here, from 8 foot tall ogres conversing with 4 foot tall dwarves, vampires enjoying themselves with - and sometimes on - their human servants, and a whole slew of beings that I couldn’t even begin to identify.

I pushed my way towards the bar, flagged down one of the busy bartenders and told him that Jacob and Sable were expecting me.

“Of course sir!” the human-looking bartender said, “I’ll go inform them now, but you may have to wait a while, we were not expecting you here so soon. Please except my humblest apologies.”

“Not a problem.”

“If you would like, sir, I can suggest you try some of our steak - on the house of course. You won’t find anything better in all of the Sprawl.”

“You know what,” I said, making myself comfortable in the bar stool, “I’ll take you up on your offer, and I’ll have a beer with that as well.”

“Of course. May I suggest our dark ale? Made from the local spring and the finest of ingredients, of course.”.