The Ultimate Dracula by Byron Preiss (ed)

Author:Byron Preiss (ed) [Preiss, Byron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: anthology, fantasy, horror, vampires
Published: 2012-04-12T20:49:31+00:00

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The report of this latest death was on Captain Schellenberg's desk when he arrived at his office the following morning. There was also the report he'd requested about the earlier death. He read through both of them and was astonished to discover that each of the guards had died from loss of blood. Yet there was no evidence of bleeding and no blood had been found in the vicinity of the bodies. He took the reports with him when he went in to see Colonel Rausch later that morning.

"Do you suspect foul play?" the colonel asked, repeating the captain's own question of the previous day.

"I don't know what I suspect. I think I should speak with the doctor."

Rausch nodded his glistening bald head. "Do so, by all means. I will leave the matter in your hands, Captain."

Schellenberg sought out the doctor who had autopsied the bodies. His name was Fredericks and he held the rank of major. A short man with eyes that seemed too big for his head, he seemed to present a figure of vague menace. "Both men died the same way," he said in answer to the captain's questions. "Loss of blood."

"Was there a wound?"

Major Fredericks shrugged. "Puncture marks on the throat, but that means nothing, unless you believe they were attacked by vampire bats."

"I suppose anything is possible." He had another thought. "There's something else I wanted to ask you, Major. Is there a type of illness that could cause someone to be especially sensitive to sunlight?"

"You're probably thinking of lupus erythematosus. Exposure to sunlight or X-rays can cause a patchy red skin rash to appear on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, roughly in the shape of a butterfly."

"We have a Gypsy prisoner in barracks 52 who claims to have such a condition. He says he can't work during the day."

"Nonsense! Simply cover his face with a cloth to keep the sun off it and he'll be fine."

"Thanks for the advice, Major."

"Barracks 52, you say? I should have his name for my records."

"Vlad Tepes."

"Tepes? Odd sort of name. Seems vaguely familiar to me."

He went back to his paperwork and Captain Schellenberg started on his rounds. When he reached barracks 52 he saw the stout Gypsy woman, Olga Helsing, hovering outside. "Good morning," he greeted her. "It is a fine summer's day. Has your patient returned to the labor force?"

"No, no! This sun would kill him, in his condition."

"I have spoken to the doctor about his so-called condition. If he covers his face with a piece of cloth, a handkerchief, he will be all right. Have him do that and report to the work detail this afternoon."

"How does the doctor know, without even examining him?" She spat it out in disgust, and Captain Schellenberg's left hand came up in a reflex motion, striking her a backhanded blow across the mouth. She staggered back, more shocked than hurt.

"Obey me, woman, or you and your patient will both be food for the worms!"

She retreated in silence with a hand to her mouth.

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